The Volkswagen Bus was a raging success with the initial release in 1950, now Volkswagen is hoping for similar success with the new VW Bus hybrid counterpart – ID Buzz.
The first VW Bus was released in 1950, continuing production until 1959 and released the Type 2 VW Bus in 1960. The production of the VW Bus officially ended in 2013 with Volkswagen focusing on other automobile models.
Volkswagen released the working prototype for the new bus last year but now in finalizing details including production location and vehicle features. Along with the new Bus, Volkswagen will also be releasing an electric minibus and a slim crossover SUV concept.
The new ID Buzz offers two options, with the higher-end model features all-wheel drive with a total output of 396 horsepower and the projected charge range of 270 miles. The other option offers clocks at 268 horsepower with a charge range of 200 miles.
The ID Crozz is expected to be available for sale by 2019 and the ID Buzz is expected to be available for sale by 2022. VW hopes to follow the same success pattern with their Passat model, that boasts higher sales in the U.S. rather than Europe because Passat production is in Tennessee as well.
The current head of Volkwagen operations in North America says that the company will be producing “Americanized” versions of their ID Crozz and ID Buzz electric car models in the Tennessee factory. VW is also focusing on making electric-hybrid cars more prevalent in the U.S., with the goal of localizing electric mobility.
The new ID Crozz will offer a duel-motor powertrain with a charge range of 310 miles but is actually expected to have the range of 275 miles (when EPA estimates are taken into account).
