VW unveils new model of microbus loved by hippies

[ensho]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110301/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_geneva_auto_show_vw_bus


Volkswagen AG is resurrecting its iconic microbus, which debuted in 1950 and became a favorite of hippies for its unique styling and copious space for travelers.

Volkswagen is showing a concept version of the van — known by its German nickname, the Bulli — at the Geneva Auto Show on Tuesday. Among the six-seater's modern twists: It's powered by an electric motor and uses an iPad to control the entertainment system, climate control and other functions.

Volkswagen said the Bulli can go up to 186.4 miles on a single battery charge. That's far, considering that the Nissan Leaf is rated at 73 miles on a charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Bulli can go up to 87 miles per hour.

-snip-

The concept is slightly shorter and wider than the original, with a less boxy front. But there are plenty of nods to the original, including a three-person bench seat in the front and a two-tone paint job.

Volkswagen hasn't confirmed that the concept van will go into production.

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sounds good

more inventive then our empire

[AnneD]

1. The answer to a prayer....

for the newly homeless.

[itsrobert]

5. 40K for a new electric van

will be the answer.

[GSLevel9]

2. sweet... VW has really got it goin' the last few years. nt

[Bandit]

3. Do they actually believe it was looks that made the VW so popular

with students and the poor in general? VWs were the cheapest thing on the road at the time and every single part, from fenders to bumpers to running boards to ??? were easily replaced and parts were readily available most anywhere...Now adays it is illegal in many places to put used untested parts on your vehicle..Junk yards are almost a thing of the past. Not to even mention that VWs got almost thirty miles to the gallon when every other car on the road got around ten..It was the only thing many could afford and that was in spite of its appearance.

[Poboy]

11. I am in full agreement w.you here. Said the same thing about the new bugs

when those came out. But as far as looks/styling go, I think its pretty sweet.

[MattBaggins]

4. As a "nostalgic" piece will this cost 100K?

[here_is_to_hope]

6. As a person who has lived in a VW bus and Vanagons

for years, this thing is a big FAIL.

[Tesha]

16. And why do you say that? (NT)

[here_is_to_hope]

18. VW's were popular vans

because you could get them cheap, work on them yourself, huge interiors, good mileage, etc. I still have three, a 1971, a 1979 and an 1987 Vanagon. I get a whole cord of wood in the Vanagon and still get 22 mpg.
Try that with this overpriced piece of poop.
Between the three, 1.2 million miles.
Make this new one full size, put a TDI in it and just maybe we would have something.
You couldn't take a nap in this thing without getting a cramp.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

21. I agree totally.......

Being able to fix your VW was part of the whole appeal. I had an early 80's Rabbit that was a breeze to fix. This model doesn't look too shade-tree mechanic friendly. It actually reminds me of those ugly ass Dodge Magnums.

[here_is_to_hope]

24. you have to see this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQhfcdQf1QA&playnext=1&list=PLD3696E4C15C6BD40

VW belt change in seconds...

I own two very worn out copies of "how to keep your Volkswagen Alive".
What good is a car you, the owner, cannot work on?
So many newer vehicles need tools that are vehicle specific, it's stupid to own someting you cannot fix.

[yellowcanine]

36. You mean this repair guide?

How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: a Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot
by John Muir



That one is a classic. A friend and I did a rebuild on a 67 bug engine in his living room.
Besides being an excellent repair guide, it was fun to read also.

[here_is_to_hope]

37. Yeah, mine has no cover and it

is covered in grease.
The newest edition is "How to keep your Volkswagen Alive forever".
It is an awesome book, an easy read and great illustrations.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

40. My late uncle had a copy of that for his 70's era microbus........

and it was still running in the early 90's when he was doing electrical work on the Outer Banks, NC.

"What good is a car you, the owner, cannot work on?" I agree and I'm thankful that the basic maintenance on my Subaru is VW-like. Alternator, starter are both easy to get to, belt tensioners are thoughtfully designed. Spark-plugs are a pain to get to tho (flat 4 engine).

[Xithras]

25. VW actually does still make a proper van/camper. The Volkswagen California/Transporter

Ironically, given it's name, they don't sell it in the United States. You can buy them completely empty (the old Kombi is now the MultiVan or Transporter, depending on market), or all decked out like the California, with everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink (and stove, and fridge).

No VW dealer anywhere in the United States will sell you one. That's a shame, since they'd work out to the mid-$20k range for the low end ones. This one will set you back quite a bit more.



They're still very popular in Europe.

[here_is_to_hope]

32. Weak transmissions plague these designs

They seem to go out at 125k, engine and transmission are made by....................................................................................................................................................................Audi!

[maxsolomon]

7. they teased us with a new VW bus a decade ago

it's JUST a concept. i'll believe that's its 'resurrected' when it goes into production - and it probably won't be as an electric-only, the range is too limited.

I still miss my 1978 2000cc transporter.

[tammywammy]

8. The Microbus they had a concept of a few years ago was pretty cool

I don't really care for the Chrysler mini-van they're selling now.

[Poboy]

12. VW also said they would do a new Karmann Ghia too.

I'd be jumping all over that one.

[HopeHoops]

9. If it doesn't have an in-dash bong, what the fuck good is it?

:hippie:

[walldude]

23. It's optional...

:evilgrin:

[ensho]

42. kick

nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

10. It probably won't off-road as well as the original. n/t

[yellowcanine]

13. Eh. Put me down as a no. This isn't even close to the 60s Bus.

And most of us were so stoned and feckless at the time that we didn't care about the reality that if we hit something with that suicide front end we were probably going to die. You can't recreate that.

[here_is_to_hope]

20. Weed is nature's cruise control...

lolz, thats what my wife tells me...
Pull over, have a toke, spend the rest of the drive at 54.3 miles per hour.

[kentuck]

14. Cool!

:-)

[FLPanhandle]

15. The original looked much better, but the original was a deathtrap

The crumple zone was your legs.

[here_is_to_hope]

19. Oh yeah?

We hit a horse in Mexico back in the mid 1970's, full frontal.
Busted out the windshield, pinched the entire wiring system, shorted everything out, dash folded into pour laps and we had a few bumps and bruises.
The horse walked away.
We kicked oput the windshield, hotwired the engine and starter and made it back to the US border.
The Feds wouldn't let us in-not because we didn't have a windshield but because we didn't have wipers!
But yeah, don't hit anything was and is my motto.

[yellowcanine]

22. I once saw a VW bus flip over in a Kenyan game park and dump two German tourists out of the sunroof.

They were left sitting on the ground - shaken but quite unhurt.

The bus end up on its side. We set it up, checked the oil, and it was good to go.

Besides being a frontal impact death trap those buses would flip over if you looked at them cross-eyed and a breeze kicked up.

[here_is_to_hope]

26. "Like driving a breadbox"

In a crosswind, you crab like an airplane!
We were hit by Hurricane Marie in Baja one year, left us laying on the passenger side, scrapes and a dent, one busted mirror.
No worries.

[yellowcanine]

27. As I recall there were also steering issues. Front end would get real loose after a while.

Must have made it really fun when a stiff wind hit you rounding a corner.

[here_is_to_hope]

29. '67 and earlier vans...

The kingpin would wear quickly and give you a lot of play in the steering assembly, not VW's best engineering. hard to replace too.

[Baclava]

17. I liked the futuristic concept car better

Looks like it DID have a bong under the dash...or a torpedo

[catbyte]

28. I hope at least the heater works on the new ones.

I've never met a bug or bus where the heat worked. I remember going down the highway and the driver reaching around the windshield through the open side window to scrape the frost off-no defrosters. I also hope they reinforce the floor so rust rot won't overrun it. Although the pavement looks pretty cool whizzing by at 65 mph.

:)

Diane
Anishnabe in MI

[here_is_to_hope]

30. In my 1971...

I have lost more than a few 8tracks, then cassettes and then CD's out of the passenger side floor holes...but my heater does work!

[catbyte]

33. Lucky you! :)

[here_is_to_hope]

35. Well, because of the holes, I just start

a small campfire over there....:rofl:

[thelordofhell]

31. I'll wait for them to bring back the VW Thing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_181

[old mark]

34. I had one of the originals back in 1969...It sucked. Underpowered, cheap shit

uncomfortable interior, terrible to drive in the wind and bad weather...
But you could take the VW symbol off the front and paint a PEACE SYMBOL on it...
I have sworn never to buy another VW again after the disaster we had with our POS Prius, and the price of this one will help me keep my promise. VW's quality is legend, but it's not a fact...they suck.

mark

[devils chaplain]

38. Eh...

I don't think it looks too much different than anything else out there, and I never would have mentally associated it with the old bus without the association being stated.

On the other hand, I'm all for alternative energy and fuel efficiency.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

39. We Brazilians call them Kombis.

And they're quite popular as grey-market alternatives to buses. Typical Rio scene:

[ensho]

43. interesting, thanks for picture

nt

[OnionPatch]

41. Ugh. It looks like a mini-van more than a microbus.

As an owner of an older microbus, I have to say.....I'll keep mine.