Volkswagen brings back its iconic VW Bus in electric fashion (OTCMKTS:VLKAF)
Volkswagen (OTCPK:VLKAF) formally introduced a new electric version of the VW Bus for North America and Europe on Friday.
The German automaker plans to sell the retro-looking ID. Buzz in North America after 2024 to fill a void after a two-decade hiatus of the beach favorite. The fully electric ID. Buzz will feature an extra-long version that can seat up to seven passengers and include a larger 85 kilowatt hour battery to increase range.
The VW bus is noted to have a long history in the U.S. and still enjoy cult status. By revisiting its past in electric fashion, Volkswagen (OTCPK:VLKAF) aims to further strengthen its brand in America through the re-introduction of the VW Bus.
ID. Buzz vehicles will be produced at the main plant of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. Of note, the extra length of the VW Bus due to the increase in the wheelbase creates room for a third row of seats, providing up to 2,469 liters of storage space. A new heat pump is noted to increase efficiency in winter.
More details: “The large ID. Buzz will also be available with a new 210 kW (286 hp) electric drive motor. This electric drive motor increases the maximum speed to the electronic limit of 160 km/h (European ID. Buzz with 150 kW: 145 km/h). The large ID. Buzz can reach a speed of 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds. But that’s not all: an all-wheel drive version (GTX) with an output of 250 kW (339 hp) has been announced for 2024. The ID. Buzz GTX will be able to complete the 0–100 km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds.”
Shares of Volkswagen (OTCPK:VLKAF) rose 2.57% in Frankfurt trading on Friday.