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VW unveils new model of microbus loved by hippies
AP via yahoo ^ | Tue Mar 1, 2011

Posted on 03/03/2011 9:14:55 AM PST by posterchild

GENEVA – 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.

The Bulli was the brainchild of a Dutch Volkswagen importer, Ben Pon, who in 1947 sketched out a simple public bus built on the wheels of the Volkswagen Beetle. The original Bulli was made from 1950 to 1967. Other versions followed, and the vehicle was eventually sold worldwide.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


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1 posted on 03/03/2011 9:14:56 AM PST by posterchild
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To: posterchild

HIPPYVAN!

*punch* *punch*


2 posted on 03/03/2011 9:17:10 AM PST by struggle ((The struggle continues))
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To: posterchild

Fail: it’s just another minivan.


3 posted on 03/03/2011 9:17:30 AM PST by americanophile ("this absurd theology of an immoral Bedouin, is a rotting corpse which poisons our lives"-Ataturk)
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To: posterchild

Seriously, seriously fugly.

4 posted on 03/03/2011 9:17:44 AM PST by r9etb
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To: struggle

Built in bongs, front & back!


5 posted on 03/03/2011 9:18:13 AM PST by pingman (You can lead a liberal to logic, but you can't make them think.)
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To: posterchild
...bong and filthy hippies sold separately
6 posted on 03/03/2011 9:18:23 AM PST by NativeSon
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To: posterchild

YAWN.


7 posted on 03/03/2011 9:18:45 AM PST by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
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To: struggle

8 posted on 03/03/2011 9:18:52 AM PST by LibFreeUSA (Show me what Obama brought that was new and there you will find things only radical and destructive.)
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To: r9etb

That doesn’t bring back memories of the original.


9 posted on 03/03/2011 9:19:07 AM PST by scott7278 ("...I have not changed Congress and how it operates the way I would have liked..." - BHO)
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To: pingman

Price includes a 185 mile-long extension cord, in case of emergencies.


10 posted on 03/03/2011 9:19:50 AM PST by pingman (You can lead a liberal to logic, but you can't make them think.)
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To: posterchild

If it comes with a year’s supply of those patchoulli air fresheners in the shape of marijuana leaves then count me IN!

;-)


11 posted on 03/03/2011 9:19:58 AM PST by WayneS (Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm. -- James Madison)
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To: r9etb

If it don’t cost $60k or something ridiculous like that, I think it could sell.


12 posted on 03/03/2011 9:20:11 AM PST by DonaldC (A nation cannot stand in the absence of religious principle.)
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To: r9etb

I always wonder about these relaunches...if you want the original, why not just use they same design and update it?

13 posted on 03/03/2011 9:21:10 AM PST by americanophile ("this absurd theology of an immoral Bedouin, is a rotting corpse which poisons our lives"-Ataturk)
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To: posterchild

Not even a nice try

I’d actually like to see them restyle the Gia.


14 posted on 03/03/2011 9:22:01 AM PST by Psycho_Bunny (Public employee unions are the barbarian hordes of our time.)
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To: posterchild

It’s 4:20 somewhere.


15 posted on 03/03/2011 9:22:09 AM PST by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: r9etb
Seriously, seriously fugly.

Don't judge it until you see one with a psychedelic paint job.

16 posted on 03/03/2011 9:22:55 AM PST by Fresh Wind (TOTUS knows how to give a speech. Obama knows how to read.)
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To: americanophile
if you want the original, why not just use they same design and update it?

Because the original has no room up front for the engine, where folks want to put it these days?

17 posted on 03/03/2011 9:24:13 AM PST by Vroomfondel
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To: posterchild

I gotta say, I’m really disappointed.

VW mini-vans were ugly, but dependable as anything else on the road. They had great room, and made some of the best economical campers the world has ever seen.

Ugly, no polish - but rock-solid dependable and easy to work on. I think if you want a vehicle that embodies what the old mini-van used to have - you have to consider the Honda Element.

A good utility vehicle, ugly to look at - but it will do almost anything you could want from a vehicle. Camping, hauling boxes, commutting, driving cross-country and sleeping in Rest Areas with the Semi’s.


18 posted on 03/03/2011 9:24:34 AM PST by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
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To: LibFreeUSA

You gotta get a picture of the true ones with the huge 6 volt headlights. (1967)

My cousin had one for 14 years and 5 engines which could be changed in about 2 hours or less.

All the air cooled “dubs” were great. The Baja Bug conversions were a helluva lot of fun to own. Wish I had one right now.


19 posted on 03/03/2011 9:25:08 AM PST by headstamp 2
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To: posterchild

How many pounds of weed will it cost? ;-)


20 posted on 03/03/2011 9:25:32 AM PST by almost done by half
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