2026 VW ID. California: The Buzz Is Coming To Electrify Your Tenting Journeys

The primary totally electrical mannequin with the California badge is anticipated to reach within the second half of the last decade, primarily based on the VW ID. Buzz

by Thanos Pappas

This story comprises illustrations by Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for CarScoops which can be neither associated to nor endorsed by VW.

The VW ID. Buzz proved to be a gross sales hit for the German automaker, however now we have but to see its coolest model – the California campervan. The latter was formally confirmed final yr by VW’s supervisory board, and is anticipated to debut after 2025. For our impatient readers, our associates created a rendering of the mannequin and we gathered all the knowledge we might discover.

As an alternative of calling it ID. Buzz California, VW will use the less complicated ID. California nameplate for the primary totally electrical member of its well-known campervan vary. In addition to the most well-liked T6.1 van, different fashions which have already acquired the California badge embrace the smaller Caddy and the bigger Crafter (Grand California). Notably, the T6 Multivan has not but acquired such remedy.

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The design of the ID. California will mirror the ID. Buzz with extra options. The spotlight would be the signature pop-up hydraulic roof, increasing the cabin house when the car is parked. This is not going to solely enable passengers to face up whereas utilizing the inside facilities but in addition accommodate an additional double mattress. The roof will possible characteristic an electrical pop-up mechanism making life simpler for campers.

Different options which can be typical of a California van are a retractable aspect awning, which mixed with two folding chairs and a desk will create a pleasant out of doors house proper subsequent to the car. Extra importantly, the inside shall be fitted with a kitchenette together with a fuel range and a sink, water tanks, and storage compartments for cutlery, kitchenware, garments, and different private gadgets. The modular seats will possible be capable to slide, fold, and rotate making a living-room surroundings contained in the van.

The remainder of the inside shall be carried over from the high-spec trims of the ID. Buzz. Which means that the dashboard will get a 10-inch digital instrument cluster mixed with a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen. Count on vegan upholstery and intensive use of recycled supplies, on par with the present pattern, alongside electrically-adjustable seats and loads of USB charging ports throughout the cabin.

The VW ID. California will more than likely be primarily based on the long-wheelbase bodystyle variant of the ID. Buzz, which is at the moment beneath growth for North America. This can enable extra inside house and the fitment of a bigger 111 kWh battery pack beneath the ground, leading to an extended vary. In any case, the ID. California shall be used for longer journeys than an everyday passenger van, and the load of the additional gear can be one thing to think about when speaking about electrical vary. By way of energy output, the present EU-spec ID. Buzz comes fitted with a rear-mounted electrical motor producing 201 hp (150 kW) and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque. This is able to be adequate for the camper, though extra powertrain choices shall be added to the vary within the close to future.

In accordance with the official assertion by Volkswagen, the ID. California is anticipated within the second half of the last decade, though we wouldn’t be stunned if an idea model of the car would seem sooner than that, intently previewing the ultimate product. In any case, the US-spec long-wheelbase VW ID. Buzz will debut in early 2024, so why not improve it with further gear and California badges?

For many who can’t wait that lengthy, the ID. Buzz has already acquired a camper conversion equipment from Ququq, known as “BusBox-4”. This one is a light-weight camper in comparison with the upcoming ID. California, but it surely nonetheless has every little thing that you must sleep, carry your stuff and put together a meal within the wilderness for a extra inexpensive worth.

Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for CarScoops