VW Buzz's Groovy Pop-Top Offers More Room Than a London Phone Booth
Image Credit: Tonke.
Sunshine seekers and road trip rebels rejoice! Every now and then, something truly interesting rolls around. And my dear readers, this might just be it. And no - this isn't an advertisement; there are no affiliate links of any sort here - I am simply impressed by the idea and its execution.
Our story today involves the groovy, all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz – you know, the one that makes you want to shout "Far out!" just by looking at it. The ID. Buzz is already pretty darn cool on its own, channeling those iconic camper van vibes into the 21st century. But the clever clogs over at Dutch camper specialist Tonke have decided that "pretty darn cool" just isn't cutting the mustard. They've gone and cooked up something that's downright ingenious for anyone dreaming of hitting the open road in electric style.
Image Credit: Tonke.
Let's set the scene: you're cruising along the stunning Californian coast, the electric hum of your ID. Buzz your only soundtrack. You find that perfect little spot overlooking the turquoise water, and it's time to set up camp. Usually, this involves some awkward maneuvering and a bit of a squeeze, right? But Tonke has reimagined the pop-up roof in a way that's so clever, it's almost cheeky.
Tonke's new design for the long-wheelbase ID. Buzz features a pop-slide roof that's pure wizardry. Instead of just popping straight up, a section of the roof and an integrated floor panel slide out sideways - the van literally sprouts a little extra living room, right there on the side.
What does this sideways shimmy achieve? It unlocks a sleeping area that's far more generous than you'd expect in a vehicle that's only about 78 inches wide at its widest point (and tapers a bit at the top, those sneaky designers!). This clever expansion creates a longitudinal bed measuring a rather luxurious 53 by 83 inches. That's plenty of room to stretch out after a long day of exploring, and it certainly beats trying to contort yourself into a fetal position on a too-short mattress.
The setup is surprisingly straightforward. You simply lift the roof manually (with a little help from those trusty integrated struts), slide out the sleeper panel, and pop in a couple of awning poles. For extra stability, two ground support poles join the party, much like the ladder on those fancy rooftop tents you see these days. It's all rather civilized.
Image Credit: Tonke.
But this isn't just about a bigger bed. Thanks to the sleeping platform sliding out to the side, you maintain full standing height inside the van. No more hunching over like you're trying to find a lost contact lens! And for those traveling with little adventurers, Tonke has thoughtfully included removable safety rails for the upper bed. No accidental tumbles into the cabin below – a definite win in my book! The expanded sleeping area even comes with its own integrated LED lights and USB charging ports.
When the roof is closed, the total height of your ID. Buzz will be around 81 inches. And that clever slide-out section? It extends about 31.5 inches from the side of the van. The beauty of this design is that even with the extra space, the overall footprint remains relatively compact, meaning you can still sneak into those more secluded camping spots without feeling like you're piloting a behemoth. While it might not offer acres of shade, that extended bit of roof does provide a welcome bit of overhead protection, saving you the hassle of lugging around a separate awning. Score!
Of course, all this delightful engineering doesn't come cheap. The full pop-slide roof kit will set you back around €8,470, which is roughly $9,575 in good old American dollars. And if you're not the handy type, installation will cost you another €3,025 (about $3,425). For those who like a bit of personalization, you can even get the roof painted to match your ID. Buzz for an extra €1,271. And for the eco-conscious (and those who like free energy!), a 200-watt solar panel system is available for €1,936, including installation. That last bit sounds awfully overpriced if I'm to be honest, but I guess it comes with all the smart solar bits and maybe an extra battery?
This innovative roof can certainly function as a cozy upstairs bedroom for two happy campers. But it's also part of Tonke's broader range of camper van conversions for the ID. Buzz. These start with a basic "camper-in-a-box" module at around €5,996 ($6,775) and go all the way up to the full-blown "Explorer" camper van floor plan with a proper indoor/outdoor kitchen, priced around €18,150 ($20,550). It all sounds great, but once you add up all the costs of a brand-new Buzz, you are quickly approaching $100,000, and that, my friends, is not a small change. Who said camping was an affordable way of holidaying?
Image Credit: Tonke.
Still, Tonke has taken the already charming Volkswagen ID. Buzz and given it a shot of pure camping ingenuity. This pop-slide roof isn't just about adding a bed; it's about creating a more comfortable, more spacious, and more enjoyable way to experience the electric open road. It's clever, it's different, and it's got me itching to pack my bags and hit the road for an all-electric adventure.
