Volkswagen ID. Buzz officially rolls into Singapore
18 Oct 2024|8,615 views
More than a year after making a teaser appearance at the 2023 Singapore Motor Show, one of Volkswagen's most celebrated icons, thoroughly refreshed and fully electrified for the modern era, has rolled out officially onto our shores at last.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz was launched in Singapore on Wednesday evening (16 October 2024) at a beach-themed party hosted at Sentosa's Emerald Pavillion. Crafted to channel the spirit of adventure, the event even saw the special appearance of a couple of old 'Kombi' vans, one of which served as a truck-bar.
With Singapore having the honour of being the first ASEAN market to receive the ID. Buzz, the minibus (or van, or MPV) coincidentally marks the first fully electric model in Volkswagen Singapore's lineup to offer up to seven seats - thus also making it the brand's most family-friendly electric member yet.
And a friendly machine, the ID. Buzz certainly is.
While the minibus undeniably holds on to a good number of the styling cues we've seen on other Volkswagen ID. models such as the ID. 4 and ID. 5, it's also immediately distinguishable as the spiritual successor to the Volkswagen T2 'Kombi' vans, which still boast a massive cult following today.
Its retro-inspired design sees a massive Volkswagen badge stuck onto its nose, while standard dual-tone paintwork options and 'vents' on the D-pillars also hark back to those popularised on the Kombi vans. Owing to the manner in which the lines on its bonnet separate the colours, Volkswagen states that owners can look forward to a car that is always smiling back at them.
On the inside, the ID. Buzz's dashboard feels suitably modern for both a 21st century car and an electric vehicle (EV), thanks especially to its digital instrument cluster, and large, free-standing 14-inch infotainment screen.
Standard equipment also includes 30-colour ambient lighting, the full suite of Volkswagen's latest-generation driving assistance systems, and captain's chairs in the front row, which offer lumbar support and massage functionality.
Nonetheless, its interior still draws heavy inspiration from the classic Kombi with its dashboard's linear design and stacked elements, as well as the two-tone finish of its door cards and seats. Speaking of the latter, the ID. Buzz's cabin scores high on sustainability: Its seat covers are made of a new SEAQUAL yarn comprising materials from marine plastic and recycled PET bottles.
In the rear, however, is where things might differ slightly depending on which variant a buyer opts for.
The entry point to the ID. Buzz range is the five-seater, whose 'normal' wheelbase measures 2,989mm in length. Don't be fooled into thinking it's not a spacious car though; even this stands at nearly two-metres tall and nearly 1.9-metres wide, giving it not just loads of road presence, but also offering all passengers a great deal of leg, head and shoulder-room.
Larger families, however, will probably still find themselves gravitating to the long-wheelbase variants. Here, the ID. Buzz's wheelbase is stretched by an additional 250mm to 3,239mm, thus also bringing its total length to nearly five metres.
With the extra length, the ID. Buzz gets a third row of seats in the rear - and thanks to its generous dimensions, stands as a proper, full-sized MPV capable of carrying seven adults. For those who prioritise comfort in the second row, the range-topper is the six-seater, whose second row also features individual captain's chairs.
The long-wheelbase ID. Buzzes are also where you'll find the most eye-catching features on offer - with a key highlight being the largest panoramic roof ever produced by Volkswagen. Before you get concerned about the cabin filling up with too much light and heat in Singapore's weather though, it's worth noting that this roof comes with smart electrochromic tinting, which can be activated with a quick touch to block the sun out.
Also offered on these six-seater and seven-seater variants is a premium 12+1-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. (The five-seater gets a nine-speaker Volkswagen-branded one instead.)
While the ID. Buzz might sway you at first with its unusual styling, Volkswagen hasn't forgotten the practicality of the original Kombi vans as well.
Built atop of the MEB platform, the underfloor integration of the ID. Buzz's battery cells has freed up even more space for Volkswagen to play around with in the cabin. One charming trick finessed by the brand is the car's removable centre console, called the 'Buzz Box', which can be configured to fit either between the first or second row seats (for the six-seater) - or removed entirely to create a clear path between all three rows for the long-wheelbase variants.
Furthermore, the long-wheelbase ID. Buzz can also have its last row unhinged and removed in situations where even more space is required. Fold the second row of seats down thereafter, and the amount of space on offer expands to a whopping 2,469 litres - more than sufficient for even the most logistics-heavy road trips.
On that note, buyers can count on the ID. Buzz to truly go the distance too, regardless of which variant they opt for. Powered by a 79kWh battery, the five-seater ID. Buzz already boasts a commendable WLTP-rated range of 461km on a full charge - but the long-wheelbase variants enjoy an even-better maximum range of 487km, thanks to a slightly larger 86kWh battery.
Hooked up to a powerful-enough DC charger, all variants of the ID. Buzz can see their batteries recharged from 10 to 80% in just 26 minutes. They all promise to be effortless to drive, too, thanks to a single-motor that sends a healthy maximum of 210kW (282bhp) to the rear wheels.
As an additional treat, Volkswagen is extending its inimitable 'bus life' experience not just to those looking to ferry passengers, but also proper cargo.
Launched alongside the ID. Buzz trio on Wednesday evening was the ID. Buzz Cargo, which shares the same range and performance figures as the five-seater ID. Buzz.
Designed specifically for commercial use, the ID. Buzz Cargo gets wide-opening rear wing doors in place of the single-piece tailgate on the passenger models, behind which a generous space of 3.9-cubic metres lies. It also boasts a payload of 770kg, with access for loading and unloading made easy via its dual sliding doors.
But what arguably makes the ID. Buzz Cargo extra special in today's growing sea of electric commercial vehicles is its unique focus on comfort and modernity.
Instead of a bare-bones interior and equipment list, this electric van features a 12.9-inch infotainment display, a good range of driving assistance features (including the likes of an Attention/Drowsiness alert and Cruise Control), and even a powered driver's seat with lumbar support and memory functions.
Volkswagen Singapore also appears to have pulled out all the stops to celebrate the icon's arrival in Singapore; its latest Instagram post shows that the Ten Square tower has seen an ID. Buzz 'takeover', with ten units of the minivan now filling out its life-sized 'car vending machine' till 29 October 2024.
Concurrently, a "WhatsTheBuzz" challenge is now on till 23 October 2024, giving fans of the brand the chance to win exclusive Volkswagen merchandise. More details are available on the brand's Instagram page.
All variants of the ID. Buzz have now gone on sale in Singapore, with the ID. Buzz Cargo priced at $156,900, and the passenger models starting from just under $300,000 (including COE).
Car model | Price as of press time (including COE) |
Volkswagen ID. Buzz 5-Seater NWB 79kWh | $299,900 |
Volkswagen ID. Buzz 7-Seater LWB 86kWh | $319,900 |
Volkswagen ID. Buzz 6-Seater LWB 86kWh | $324,900 |
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo 79kWh | $156,900 |
More than a year after making a teaser appearance at the 2023 Singapore Motor Show, one of Volkswagen's most celebrated icons, thoroughly refreshed and fully electrified for the modern era, has rolled out officially onto our shores at last.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz was launched in Singapore on Wednesday evening (16 October 2024) at a beach-themed party hosted at Sentosa's Emerald Pavillion. Crafted to channel the spirit of adventure, the event even saw the special appearance of a couple of old 'Kombi' vans, one of which served as a truck-bar.
With Singapore having the honour of being the first ASEAN market to receive the ID. Buzz, the minibus (or van, or MPV) coincidentally marks the first fully electric model in Volkswagen Singapore's lineup to offer up to seven seats - thus also making it the brand's most family-friendly electric member yet.
And a friendly machine, the ID. Buzz certainly is.
While the minibus undeniably holds on to a good number of the styling cues we've seen on other Volkswagen ID. models such as the ID. 4 and ID. 5, it's also immediately distinguishable as the spiritual successor to the Volkswagen T2 'Kombi' vans, which still boast a massive cult following today.
Its retro-inspired design sees a massive Volkswagen badge stuck onto its nose, while standard dual-tone paintwork options and 'vents' on the D-pillars also hark back to those popularised on the Kombi vans. Owing to the manner in which the lines on its bonnet separate the colours, Volkswagen states that owners can look forward to a car that is always smiling back at them.
On the inside, the ID. Buzz's dashboard feels suitably modern for both a 21st century car and an electric vehicle (EV), thanks especially to its digital instrument cluster, and large, free-standing 14-inch infotainment screen.
Standard equipment also includes 30-colour ambient lighting, the full suite of Volkswagen's latest-generation driving assistance systems, and captain's chairs in the front row, which offer lumbar support and massage functionality.
Nonetheless, its interior still draws heavy inspiration from the classic Kombi with its dashboard's linear design and stacked elements, as well as the two-tone finish of its door cards and seats. Speaking of the latter, the ID. Buzz's cabin scores high on sustainability: Its seat covers are made of a new SEAQUAL yarn comprising materials from marine plastic and recycled PET bottles.
In the rear, however, is where things might differ slightly depending on which variant a buyer opts for.
The entry point to the ID. Buzz range is the five-seater, whose 'normal' wheelbase measures 2,989mm in length. Don't be fooled into thinking it's not a spacious car though; even this stands at nearly two-metres tall and nearly 1.9-metres wide, giving it not just loads of road presence, but also offering all passengers a great deal of leg, head and shoulder-room.
Larger families, however, will probably still find themselves gravitating to the long-wheelbase variants. Here, the ID. Buzz's wheelbase is stretched by an additional 250mm to 3,239mm, thus also bringing its total length to nearly five metres.
With the extra length, the ID. Buzz gets a third row of seats in the rear - and thanks to its generous dimensions, stands as a proper, full-sized MPV capable of carrying seven adults. For those who prioritise comfort in the second row, the range-topper is the six-seater, whose second row also features individual captain's chairs.
The long-wheelbase ID. Buzzes are also where you'll find the most eye-catching features on offer - with a key highlight being the largest panoramic roof ever produced by Volkswagen. Before you get concerned about the cabin filling up with too much light and heat in Singapore's weather though, it's worth noting that this roof comes with smart electrochromic tinting, which can be activated with a quick touch to block the sun out.
Also offered on these six-seater and seven-seater variants is a premium 12+1-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. (The five-seater gets a nine-speaker Volkswagen-branded one instead.)
While the ID. Buzz might sway you at first with its unusual styling, Volkswagen hasn't forgotten the practicality of the original Kombi vans as well.
Built atop of the MEB platform, the underfloor integration of the ID. Buzz's battery cells has freed up even more space for Volkswagen to play around with in the cabin. One charming trick finessed by the brand is the car's removable centre console, called the 'Buzz Box', which can be configured to fit either between the first or second row seats (for the six-seater) - or removed entirely to create a clear path between all three rows for the long-wheelbase variants.
Furthermore, the long-wheelbase ID. Buzz can also have its last row unhinged and removed in situations where even more space is required. Fold the second row of seats down thereafter, and the amount of space on offer expands to a whopping 2,469 litres - more than sufficient for even the most logistics-heavy road trips.
On that note, buyers can count on the ID. Buzz to truly go the distance too, regardless of which variant they opt for. Powered by a 79kWh battery, the five-seater ID. Buzz already boasts a commendable WLTP-rated range of 461km on a full charge - but the long-wheelbase variants enjoy an even-better maximum range of 487km, thanks to a slightly larger 86kWh battery.
Hooked up to a powerful-enough DC charger, all variants of the ID. Buzz can see their batteries recharged from 10 to 80% in just 26 minutes. They all promise to be effortless to drive, too, thanks to a single-motor that sends a healthy maximum of 210kW (282bhp) to the rear wheels.
As an additional treat, Volkswagen is extending its inimitable 'bus life' experience not just to those looking to ferry passengers, but also proper cargo.
Launched alongside the ID. Buzz trio on Wednesday evening was the ID. Buzz Cargo, which shares the same range and performance figures as the five-seater ID. Buzz.
Designed specifically for commercial use, the ID. Buzz Cargo gets wide-opening rear wing doors in place of the single-piece tailgate on the passenger models, behind which a generous space of 3.9-cubic metres lies. It also boasts a payload of 770kg, with access for loading and unloading made easy via its dual sliding doors.
But what arguably makes the ID. Buzz Cargo extra special in today's growing sea of electric commercial vehicles is its unique focus on comfort and modernity.
Instead of a bare-bones interior and equipment list, this electric van features a 12.9-inch infotainment display, a good range of driving assistance features (including the likes of an Attention/Drowsiness alert and Cruise Control), and even a powered driver's seat with lumbar support and memory functions.
Volkswagen Singapore also appears to have pulled out all the stops to celebrate the icon's arrival in Singapore; its latest Instagram post shows that the Ten Square tower has seen an ID. Buzz 'takeover', with ten units of the minivan now filling out its life-sized 'car vending machine' till 29 October 2024.
Concurrently, a "WhatsTheBuzz" challenge is now on till 23 October 2024, giving fans of the brand the chance to win exclusive Volkswagen merchandise. More details are available on the brand's Instagram page.
All variants of the ID. Buzz have now gone on sale in Singapore, with the ID. Buzz Cargo priced at $156,900, and the passenger models starting from just under $300,000 (including COE).
Car model | Price as of press time (including COE) |
Volkswagen ID. Buzz 5-Seater NWB 79kWh | $299,900 |
Volkswagen ID. Buzz 7-Seater LWB 86kWh | $319,900 |
Volkswagen ID. Buzz 6-Seater LWB 86kWh | $324,900 |
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo 79kWh | $156,900 |
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