Still want that boring SUV? Fast all-wheel drive Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX blends hot hatch pace with retro looks

April 4, 2024April 3, 2024 John Mahoney 11818 Views ev, GTX, ID.Buzz, Volkswagen

With its retro-looks, hot hatch-level of electric acceleration and acres of space for families or those who indulge in active lifestyles, the incoming 2024 Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX makes the most compelling case yet for not buying an SUV.

Unveiled late last month and on sale in Europe in the coming months, the new high-performance VW ID.Buzz is not yet confirmed for Australia but is hotly tipped to join the ID.Buzz line-up early next year.

When it does it could be offered in two wheelbases and a dual-motor powertrain producing a combined 250kW that should see the all-electric Kombi launch off the line from 0-100km/h in around 6.5 seconds before topping out at a limited 160km/h.

While the standard wheelbase comes with an 84kWh battery that can be topped up at up to 185kW, the long-wheelbase gets a bigger 91kWh that can be recharged at up to 200kW.

Whichever you choose a 10-80 per cent top-up will be less than 30 minutes using a fast DC charger.

Volkswagen has yet to reveal just how far its fast ID.Buzz will travel but it’s estimated both standard and long-wheelbase GTXs will be able to cover around 450km on a single charge.

Changes compared to a regular ID.Buzz people-mover include a GTX-specific 19-inch Venlo alloy wheels, a new Cherry Red hero shade of paint and standard IQ.Light LED Matrix headlamps.

Within, there’s a pair of sport seats trimmed in ArtVelours Eco microfleece fabric, a black headliner and lots of sporty red highlights, like the rouge piping for the seats, stitching and GTX lettering.

Like the rest of the recently updated ID.Buzz range there’s a 12.0-inch infotainment system that gets Volkswagen’s latest operating system and its AI-powered voice assistant.

As far as tech is concerned, there’s standard Park Assist Plus, safe exit assist, the option of a head-up display, Travel Assist, an upgraded lane assist and adaptive cruise.

When it arrives the short wheelbase ID.Buzz GTX will be offered as a five-seater with the option of being able to accommodate up to six (2+2+2). The long-wheelbase, meanwhile, comes as with five-, six- or even seven-seats.

Maximum luggage carrying capacity for the short-wheelbase version is 1121 litres (2123L seats all folded), while the stretched ID.Buzz with just five seats can carry an impressive 1340 litres (2469L seats folded).

Even with the seven seats all in place, there’s still a very respectable 306L of luggage space behind the third row.

With more power, the GTX can now tow up to 1800kg, while the long-wheelbase can still tow up to 1600kg – both are a big improvement over the measly 800kg the single-motor ID.Buzz can haul.

It’s thought an official announcement will be released from Volkswagen Australia in the coming months.