The Volkswagen
Microbus is arguably one of the most recognizable vehicles of all time. A symbol of counterculture in the 1960s, the Microbus has long maintained its relevance due to its unmistakable size. Excitement for the Microbus has led to a revival of the iconic VW vehicle, an electric vehicle called the ID.Buzz
. American drivers will get the opportunity to drive the Volkswagen ID.Buzz in 2024, but ideas for a Microbus revival have been stirring for a long time now. According to Car and Driver
, VW has designed four Microbus concepts in the past two decades. The first Microbus revival pitch
More than two decades before the unveiling of the finalized ID.Buzz, Volkswagen showed off the Microbus Concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 2001. Unlike the concepts that would be shown off in the following years, the 2001 Microbus Concept was not an EV. Instead, it would run on a 231-horsepower, 3.2-liter V6.
Visually, the Microbus Concept sported a pleasing mix of throwback and futuristic design elements. It could be compared to the classic VW EuroVan, and its paint scheme resembled the Microbus models from the '60s. Other features like the concept vehicle's rectangular headlights differed from the original Volkswagen's circular lights.
After this initial reveal, the 2001 Microbus Concept was abandoned without much fanfare. There were rumors about it, but fans would have to wait a whole decade for another Microbus revival update.
Volkswagen EV concepts throughout the 2010s
In 2011, Volkswagen finally broke the Microbus silence with the Bulli EV Concept, an electric Microbus prototype powered by a 40.0-kWh battery. This concept vehicle was smaller in size than previous Microbus designs, but it still retained a beautiful mix of retro and modern design elements. Much like the 2001 Microbus, the Bulli Concept was quietly shelved.
The Budd-e Concept was the next Microbus to be shown off in 2016, and it looked quite different from other Microbus designs. There was reason to be enthusiastic about this model, as Volkswagen had shown genuine commitment to switching to EVs. However, this design was also set aside, but it would not take long for another Microbus concept to be revealed.
In 2017, Volkswagen showed off the I.D. Buzz Concept, a vehicle that looks similar to both the original Microbus and the new ID.Buzz. This concept featured eight seats, and the front row could swivel to face the passengers behind them. This Microbus sports a paint scheme reminiscent of the classic Microbus as well as high-tech features like a heads-up display.
The 2024 VW ID.Buzz will finally be released
After decades of scrapped designs, drivers will finally get to cruise around in an electrified take on the classic Microbus with the ID.Buzz. The finalized design for the VW ID.Buzz largely resembles the 2017 concept design with its body shape and retro-inspired paint scheme. Only some extra features like the rotating front seats have been cut, and cuts like this are fairly normal for a concept car that goes into production.
According to Car and Driver
, the 2024 ID.Buzz will be powered by a 201-horsepower, 82.0-kWh battery. However, there will likely be other battery power level options for models released in the United States. European drivers will be able to get behind the wheel of the ID.Buzz before the end of this year. Americans, though, will have to wait until 2024 for the new Volkswagen to make its way to the States.
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