VW ID. Buzz GTX/GTI: This sporty MPV is trying something new [Update]

Update: ‘GTI or GTX?’ section added and ‘Design’ section updated.

When you think of a performance-oriented GTX or GTI model, a van is not what immediately comes to mind. Not if you are Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles! With a unique take on the category, the VW ID. Buzz GTX (or the VW ID. Buzz GTI, which we’ll explain soon), with all-wheel drive, promises extra features and excitement.

Confirmation

Silke Bagschik, Head of Sales and Marketing for the ID. family, Volkswagen Group, confirmed on June 15, 2022, that a VW ID. Buzz GTX is in the pipeline. Below is what 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.

Silke Bagschik, Head of Sales and Marketing for the ID. family, Volkswagen Group, on June 15, 2022, via Volkswagen Newsroom.

Compared to the standard ID. Buzz, the GTX variant will gain extra features and a high-output powertrain, an Autocar report published on January 12, 2023, says, citing Kai Grünitz, Brand Board Member for Technical Development at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, who was speaking at a 2023 Car of the Year event.

GTI or GTX?

Volkswagen introduced the GTX series as a stop-gap measure, until it perfects performance electric cars to a level where they are worthy of the revered GTI badge. Thus, the company will eventually launch GTI electric models. We were expecting that the VW ID. Golf, to be launched around 2028, would have been the right car to introduce GTI to the EV line-up. However, the company might opt to apply it on another model well ahead of our expectations.

On July 25, 2023, Volkswagen Group applied a trademark application at DPMA for a new word/figurative mark for “GT,” which has a lightning bolt after the letters, making the logo seem as if it reads “GTI.” The description of the trademark at both WIPO and EUIPO states “Letters presenting a special form of writing” and “Lightning” in the Vienna code section.

Following this trademark application, and recent test mule sightings wearing the logo, it is being speculated that the ID. Buzz’s sporty variant could be the inaugural GTI EV.

Design

We’ve rendered the sporty variant of the ID. Buzz in an eye-catching metallic red/gloss black dual-tone color scheme. Meanwhile, it’s emerging that the GTX variant will get bespoke exterior color options to highlight its performance aspect, as outlined in the Autocar report.

Road-testing of the ID. Buzz GTX is underway, and recently, a prototype without camouflage was spotted at the Nürburgring. This particular ID. Buzz GTX is based on the long-wheelbase version.

The design of the ID. Buzz GTX lapping the Nürburgring features the new GT logo with a lightning bolt on the front quarter panel. The front bumper is sportier and slightly more aggressive than that of the standard model. While its shape is familiar, it integrates a sharp, A-shaped grille and vertical trim parts on the outer ends, both in gloss black. Unique alloy wheels featuring a pentagon shape and two-tone finish lend the performance variant its own identity.

Our render shows the ID. Buzz GTX sitting on grippy 20-inch wheels, but we are expecting an option for larger, 21-inch wheels for customers who focus more on style than comfort. At the rear, the bumper looks the same as the regular ID. Buzz.

Interior

Grünitz stated that the interior of the VW ID. Buzz GTX will also be unlike what’s offered to the rest of the ID. Buzz range. It could be an all-black theme, highlighted by red seams to accentuate its sportiness. An official teaser, which appeared in an official presentation in September 2022, revealed that the steering wheel clip features a GTX logo, which may appear on the backrests of the sports seats for the driver and passenger, and the front sill panel trims as well.

Specifications

Grünitz mentioned that the ID. Buzz GTX’s high-performance electric powertrain will produce 250 kW (335 hp). For reference, the standard model makes 150 kW (201 hp). We think this powertrain will be a retuned version of the three-row, long-wheelbase ID. Buzz, in which the rear motor is the new APP550 unit that can deliver a peak torque of 406 lb.-ft.

The ID. Buzz GTX should dispatch the 0-62 mph sprint in much less than the 10.2 seconds of the standard van (normal wheelbase version). Its top speed (electronically limited) will likely be at least 99 mph.

Progressive steering and a lowered suspension with adaptive chassis control (Dynamic Chassis Control or DCC) could be standard in the ID. Buzz GTX, which should make it more fun to drive than the standard electric van.

We feel that Volkswagen will repurpose the standard battery pack options (77 kWh unit or upcoming 111 kWh unit) for the GTX model. DC fast-charging from 5-80% SoC should take just around 30 minutes, thanks to a decent charging rate of 170 kW.

Release Date & Price

The VW ID. Buzz GTX will likely debut in the coming weeks and go on sale in Europe at the end of 2023. In the UK, we estimate that the ID. Buzz GTX’s price could start at close to GBP 70,000 (USD 89,503).

A VW spokesperson told MotorTrend that the company doesn’t plan to launch GTX variants of its ID. models in the U.S., the American publication reported on January 12, 2023. The U.S. will likely settle for the regular ID. Buzz with similar levels of performance but without special styling in 2024.

Also Read: VW ID.3 SUV (ID.3 X) will compete with the Kona EV & Niro EV

TopElectricSUV says

A proper go-fast van, and an all-electric one at that, makes little sense for most customers. That said, with 335 horsepower, the VW ID Buzz GTX is sure to get the driver’s heart racing when it launches off the line, leaving an impression on anyone taking it for a spin. We believe that the GTX’s appeal will lie primarily in its sporty styling rather than its handling or acceleration, with the AWD system adding practicality to the van in harsh winter conditions.

Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s rendering of the ID. Buzz GTX