Volkswagen Bulli Microbus Concept Headed to Production

[AutoGuide.com]

Remember the retro-tastic Bulli from Geneva? If not, then this link should refresh your memory. Well, Volkswagen research and development boss Ulrich Hackenberg says it wasn't just a snazzy show concept—the company plans to put it into production, under the MDS (modular design system) platform.

The platform, previously known as the MQB, will enter production next year with the third-generation Audi A3; yet after that it will spread like pollen to a whole host of new Volkswagen products, including the Bulli, which will be sold as the Microbus.

And for American fans of the original VW van, the Microbus will be built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, or probably Mexico—where it will go up against the Scion xB as an uncharacterizable tall wagon/crossover sort of deal. Luckily for VW, the Microbus already has a rabid fanbase cultivated over 60 years, because you can't put a price on nostalgia (without horrendous dealer markup, anyway).

More: Volkswagen Bulli Microbus Concept Headed to Production on AutoGuide.com

[Raab_Himself]

that was quick!

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by Raab_Himself

that was quick!

indeed it was!

Lot's of mod potential and it seems to have a whole lot more personality that the current Scion xB.


BTW I love your avatar

[Raab_Himself]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

indeed it was!

Lot's of mod potential and it seems to have a whole lot more personality that the current Scion xB.


BTW I love your avatar

thanks! he was the reason i watched Nascar...

Now his son is the reason i loath nascar....lol jk

if he can make the chase this year il be happy! go 88!

and yes i cant wait for this to be realeased! i will be first in line! hopefully they do a tdi immediately cuz i kinda want to tow a jetski, but if not il settle for a 2.0t

i dont want none of this electrical powerplant buisness...

[Raab_Himself]

also the wheels on the concept are spectacular!

[Pushing Fifty]

One article said this vehicle will only be electric. I'd be interested if they produce one with a conventional engine, (gas or diesel), but electric vehicles don't interest me. Until an electric car is produced that will go 500-600 miles on a charge that only takes five minutes to complete and can cruise at 80 mph, I'll pass.

[Smileybug]

I think the general concept vehicle was electric, but I doubt VW has done the R&D to start putting electric motors in their cars that fast.

If they make this in a diesel version...mmmm.

Though, I'm going to sit and be skeptical until I see it on showroom floors here in the states. There have certainly been other times where they say we're getting something and then we don't. Usually the really cool stuff. Here's hoping though. It would be nice to see an actual VW van being sold here instead of a rebadged Chrysler.

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

I think the general concept vehicle was electric, but I doubt VW has done the R&D to start putting electric motors in their cars that fast.

If they make this in a diesel version...mmmm.

Though, I'm going to sit and be skeptical until I see it on showroom floors here in the states. There have certainly been other times where they say we're getting something and then we don't. Usually the really cool stuff. Here's hoping though. It would be nice to see an actual VW van being sold here instead of a rebadged Chrysler.

HERE HERE!!!
Fooey on the rebadged Chrysler

[DannyRandomState]

They should have produced the first concept in the first place. This thing just looks like a Xb on roids. I'll believe it when I see it. Soooo does this mean a NewBus.org could be in the works?

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by DannyRandomState

They should have produced the first concept in the first place. This thing just looks like a Xb on roids. I'll believe it when I see it. Soooo does this mean a NewBus.org could be in the works?

...NewBus.org- nice

And I agree... they shoulda made the first microbus concept a reality.

[Pushing Fifty]

If I remember correctly, the original Microbus Concept of 2001 or so was killed because the price would have been too high; in the neighborhood of $50,000. This new concept is basically the Space UP. If VW can produce a gas or diesel version of this and keep it down to around 20 grand, I may be interested; particularly as a one-man camper.

[Kuplamies]

I like this concept more than the first one. It has more character.

The car is better looking. Two tone paint is great, I like big VW emblem and retro style rims, just to mention few things.

I really hope that VW start to make it...

[rnddude]

IT'S ABOUT TIME! Put a TDI in it and I WILL ABSOLUTELY BUY ONE! (Are you listening/reading VW-USA?)

[vwgary]

If this happens, tho I'm holding my breath, this will be our retirement car. We're currently looking at options for that purchase in roughly 2 years. Warranty would most likely be the biggest stumbling block. Ideally want 10yrs/100K with 5 year bumper to bumper. We'll see

[thorgipsy]

I'll be patiently waiting and watching on this.
I am still enamored by my first bus (a '73).

I like the xB, so this really appeals to me.
Although I do like the first concept more.
Death to rebadged Chlysler.

[pelley]

How can something that only seats 4-5 people be called a "bus?"

[vwgary]

Originally Posted by pelley

How can something that only seats 4-5 people be called a "bus?"

They called walk thru panel vans busses and they only sat two

[antonym]

... fo' real!