Volkswagen might be building a high-performance electric van

Tuesday, 21 June 2022

The Buzz electric van might be getting a GTX version.

It looks like Volkswagen might be working on a go-faster version of its ID. Buzz electric van.

The German carmaker recently announced some updates to the high-performance GTX range, including adding extra black and red trim, which is very sporty indeed.

The teasing is over - this is Volkswagen's ID.4 electric SUV.

New GTX models also get previously optional equipment as standard, like a climate comfort windscreen, darkened side and rear windows, heated front seats, two USB-C interfaces, a variable centre console, the Air Care Climatronic air-conditioning system with active combination filter, stationary air conditioning and two-zone temperature control.

This is all fairly irrelevant for us, considering we don’t have any of the Volkswagen ID range in New Zealand just yet. They should be here starting in 2023, according to the latest intel from the local arm.

**READ MORE:

GTX model get black and red trim going forward.

* Volkswagen shows off production ID. Buzz

* Volkswagen to reveal all-electric retro Kombi in March

The Buzz GTX could get the 220kW/460Nm two-motor powertrain from the ID.5 GTX.

* Forget GTI; GTX is the future of hot Volkswagens

But a little nugget in the quote from Silke Bagschik, Head of Sales and Marketing for the ID. family, is much more interesting.

“The success of the ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX confirms our strategy of positioning the GTX brand independently. Both models in their respective series have installation rates of almost 40 percent,” she said.

“We will continuously expand this brand and offer a GTX variant for every ID. model in future – from the ID.3 to the ID. Buzz.”

That last bit implies the Buzz van will get a GTX version at some point, which means you’ll be able to buy an electric van with two electric motors offering a combined 220kW and 460Nm as well as all-wheel drive. Range should be around 500km, considering that’s what the ID.4 GTX SUV offers, while the forthcoming ID.5 GTX coupe-SUV pushes it to 512km.

The maximum trailer weight of both GTX models is 1,400 kilograms (for an 8 percent gradient), which is 200 kilograms more than the model versions with rear-wheel drive.

Finally, the 77kWh battery can be charged from 5% to 80% in up to 36 minutes and then offers a range of 337 kilometres for the ID.4 GTX and 376 kilometres for the ID.5 GTX.

There aren’t any solid details about the Buzz GTX, but it’s cool to see what Volkswagen might be cooking up.