Electric VW Kombi priced for Australia
Fierce competition for EV customers pushes Volkswagen to introduce its hotly-anticipated model for much less than expected.
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Volkswagen Australia has finally confirmed prices for its much-anticipated ID. Buzz electric van range – aka, the new-gen Kombi EV.
More than a year after the ID. Buzz first went on sale in Europe, it will finally be available to Aussies with a new, more powerful motor set up in the rear-wheel drive models, and a range-topping GTX version with dual-motor AWD capable of 250kW and a 0-100km/h time of 6.4 seconds – close to the iconic Golf GTI, despite weighing almost twice as much.
With EV prices under the spotlight, the expectation early on was that the ID. Buzz range would be a ‘six-figure’ proposition, but the brand has snuck two of the four models confirmed for our market under the Luxury Car Tax threshold, opening it up to the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption on EVs that could save lessees thousands of dollars.
The ID. Buzz Cargo, Pro SWB and Pro LWB are all powered by a rear-mounted electric motor producing 210kW and 560Nm – a significant bump over the original models that had just 150kW/310Nm.
The Cargo and Pro SWB models both have a smaller lithium-ion battery with 79kWh usable capacity. They offer 11kW AC charging, and 185kW DC fast charging.
Choose the LWB Pro or the dual-motor GTX AWD model and you get a larger 86kWh battery, with 11kW AC and 200kW DC charging.
The driving range for all models is yet to be confirmed, but the Cargo and SWB Pro can tow up to 1200kg, the LWB Pro 1000kg, and the GTX AWD model up to 1600kg, according to VW.
The ID. Buzz achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating back in 2022, and Aus-spec models will come kitted out with an array of active safety technology – but the Cargo models will make do with just a reversing camera as standard, while the passenger versions have a surround view system.
Opening the line-up is the work-focused ID. Buzz Cargo van, offered in a single spec from $79,990 plus on-roads. It’s a bit of a frills-free choice for tradies and businesses that are looking to electrify their work van fleet, but still gets a heap of great features including LED lights, keyless entry, a 12.9-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, and dual sliding side doors. A proper panel van.
The entry-level passenger-focused ID. Buzz is the Pro SWB model, which is a five-seater with a list price of $87,990 plus on-roads. The longer Pro LWB model is 250mm longer in the body, and scores a pair of seats in the third-row that can be removed if not needed.
And being the modern-day take on the Kombi theme, there are a few iconic two-tone colour combos on offer for the passenger van range – but they’ll cost you an extra $4090.
Originally published as Electric VW Kombi priced for Australia
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