SPY PICS: Volkswagen ID. Buzz caught testing

The reincarnated VW Kombi van, the 2022 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, has been spotted testing on road for the first time in near-production guise.

Until now, engineers have been running around in ID. Buzz prototypes that cunningly wore a Volkswagen T6 Transporter body.

But thanks to Twitter user Cole Marzen, we now have our first indication as to whether or not the electric minivan will keep its unashamedly retro looks previewed by the original 2017 Detroit motor show concept.

Despite still wearing some light camo, it looks like the production Volkswagen ID. Buzz has received a comprehensive makeover. But the good news is it largely keeps its cute concept looks.

Some of the big changes include the addition of a completely new front bumper that repositions the fog lamps to make space for a larger lower intake.

Unlike the original concept there's more of a snub nose on the production version, the badge has been positioned higher and a new black panel introduced that's thought to hide LiDAR and radars needed for autonomous driving.

It looks as though the small minivan will use a slimmer version of the headlights seen on the Volkswagen ID.3, plus an interlinked chrome strip that might feature an LED light bar on its leading edge.

At the rear, there's a new boot lip spoiler and a larger pair of wraparound tail-lights that are joined by another chrome strip.

The engineering development mule pictured is clearly the van variant of the new 2022 Volkswagen ID. Buzz, but it's the reincarnated version of the Microbus that has most enthusiasts fired up.

Set to sit on Volkswagen's MEB architecture, the range-topping version will share its pure-electric powertrain with the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX. Expect twin electric motors to muster as much as 220kW for a 0-100km/h sprint of less than 6.5 seconds.

Equipped with the largest 77kWh lithium-ion battery, the ID. Buzz should offer a range of around 480km.

The ID. Buzz is expected to be revealed either late this year or early in 2022, with first deliveries in Europe likely within 12 months.

There's no word when, or if, the ID. Buzz will head Down Under, but the Volkswagen ID.4 has already been pushed back to 2023, which doesn't bode well for the return of a battery-powered Kombi, in the short-term at least.