ID Buzz finally makes production

Volkswagen's retro-inspired electric MPV and van will go on sale in the UK in May

- GREG KABLE

The retro-styled ID Buzz has officially been unveiled five years since it was revealed in concept form, taking Volkswagen's line-up of bespoke EVs to five.

Due on sale in the UK in May in passenger and commercial guises, the compact van shares its MEB underpinnings with the ID 3, ID 4, ID 5 and ID 6 and will ultimately be available with the same array of batteries and drivetrains.

First to arrive is the rear-wheel-drive version with one motor giving 201bhp and 228lb ft of torque and a 77kWh battery providing around 250 miles of range.

More powerful, dual-motor, four-wheel-drive models with up to 295bhp will be added to the line-up in 2023, as will a 168bhp rear-wheel-drive base model and a shorter-range version with a 52kWh battery.

An eventual long-wheelbase variant will be able to take a longer-range 111kWh battery.

Pricing for the ID Buzz has yet to be officially announced, but it is expected to start at around £40,000 for the van and at close to £50,000 for the MPV.