Advertisement

Volkswagen Will Hit the SXSW Stage with ID. Buzz EV

Photo credit: Volkswagen
Photo credit: Volkswagen
  • The Volkswagen ID. Buzz, the spiritual successor to its legendary Type 2 Microbus, will ride on the modular MEB all-electric platform.

  • The ID. Buzz is expected to roll out with single or dual-motor configurations, as well as battery options.

  • Volkswagen will feature the ID. Buzz at various stops throughout Austin, Texas, at Buzz stops.


Harkening back to the days of Woodstock, Altamont and peace-sign-emblazoned VW Microbuses, Volkswagen is showing off the ID. Buzz at South by Southwest next month.

The all-electric van is the spiritual successor of Volkswagen’s beloved bus and will fit in well at one of the largest art, music and culture festivals in the United States. Also worth noting, the ID. Buzz is tied to Volkswagen's three-year sponsorship deal with the SXSW festival.

ADVERTISEMENT

Instead of just leaning on a static display and Volkswagen logos slapped to banners, the ID. Buzz will make various stops throughout the Austin, Texas, festival that are aptly named Buzz stops. These stops feature European-spec ID. Buzz vans to get festival-goers better acquainted with the all-electric bus.

If you’re not familiar with Volkswagen’s upcoming EV Bus successor, let’s get you up to speed. While we still haven’t seen a production-ready ID. Buzz, we can glean a lot from the modular EV platform that underpins other Volkswagen Group electric products.

The ID. Buzz is expected to roll out with single or dual-motor configurations. Just like the motor options, there will likely be battery options, perhaps following the current 45 kWh, 58 kWh and 77 kWh options available in current VW EVs.

This isn't the first time an automaker has looked at popular music festivals to spread the word about their latest products. Toyota's defunct auto brand Scion was the title sponsor of the similarly defunct Scion Garage Fest. BMW is currently listed on the page of Coachella’s sponsor page.

At SXSW, Volkswagen has an opportunity to shine a light on a new product while making inroads with target customers.

Don't be surprised to see a VW ID. Buzz at venues while you’re catching some of your favorite bands, such as Ringo Deathstarr, as well as speakers and films. If you can’t make it to SXSW for the ID. Buzz debut, you can head back here to catch the news. South by Southwest kicks off Friday, March 11 and wraps up March 20th.

Will VW’s ID. Buzz become a cultural icon like the Type 2 Microbus? Or will Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz miss the mark? Let us know your thoughts below.