These pics of the Volkswagen Bulli Concept show the latest take on one of the world’s great motoring icons: the Volkswagen Microbus. The VW Bulli will appear at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and revisits the great Kombie van ten years after another concept attempt was made with the Volkswagen Microbus Concept.

This time round we get the full ecological treatment as the Bulli is equipped with a fully electric drivetrain up front which Volkswagen estimates can go nearly 300 km before requiring a recharge. It has 113 hp and 270 Nm of torque for a top speed of 140 km/hr. The design is a large, boxy minivan that for our money, will never be as evocative as the original but maybe that’s just us being nostalgic.

The Volkswagen Bulli Concept is 3.96 metres long and can carry six passengers on two bench seats, or provide boot space anywhere from 370 to 1,600 litres. The funky touch comes in the Bulli’s iPad feature in which the removable iPad can be used for Bluetooth and navigational functions. And we get a Fender sound system giving this all the hippie love track sound quality you’ll need. We’ll have more from the show.

Continue reading: Volkswagen Bulli Concept at Geneva Motor Show

....

0 comments

After rumours that the Volkswagen Microbus would finally be revived, here is the first rendering of what we could see. After the legendary original model, there was an attempt at producing a concept model in 2001 but which never got to production. Plans for a revival of the VW minibus are back, though, and if we ever see one approved, it could be built on the Volkswagen Touran platform.

According to reports from Car and Driver, where this rendering comes from, we could be looking at a 2013 to 2014 model although the last we knew of this it was still a rumour being driven by statements from an interview with Klaus Bischoff, design head, in which he revealed that the legendary status of the VW Microbus naturally meant that Volkswagen would play with the idea of a revival.

Apart from the platform, Volkswagen would plan to fit this out with various engines at its disposal, give it a dual clutch transmission and consider all-wheel drive. The rumours also continue an electric version or some kind of range-extended model, which probably makes sense. Again, the appeal to the US market has emerged, and a new Volkswagen Kombi could kick off on that market first. We have our doubts about its success in Europe, but that will depend on the market’s appetite for this kind of hippie revival - and there’s no knowing where more retro styling will take us in the future.

Volkswagen Microbus revival rendering

....

0 comments

Could the Volkswagen Kombi Microbus be revived? Reports from AutoExpress suggest that another Volkswagen Camper revival development is underway, with VW design head, Klaus Bischoff saying: “I would not be doing my job at Volkswagen properly if I was not thinking of bringing back the Camper.” According to Bischoff the VW Camper concept seen back in 2001 was cancelled for costing reasons and not lack of market interest. A new concept could be in the works for 2012 but it seems Volkswagen is undecided on what to build - whether to go with a traditional family van model, or to be bolder and more innovative.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this rumour and it could be another example of the world’s ongoing, nostalgic love affair with the original Volkswagen Microbus in which we might not get anything achieved in the modern era. It’s interesting to note that the new rumour comes from Volkswagen’s design team, so while we might see another concept it might never make it to production either. Bischoff says it’s a European-led effort but with input from the various design offices around the world to see the best example to produce. This is one to follow if production rumours ensue.

Volkswagen Microbus Concept

....

0 comments