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 ...
HIPPYVAN!
*punch* *punch*
Fail: it’s just another minivan.
Seriously, seriously fugly.
Built in bongs, front & back!
YAWN.
That doesn’t bring back memories of the original.
Price includes a 185 mile-long extension cord, in case of emergencies.
If it comes with a year’s supply of those patchoulli air fresheners in the shape of marijuana leaves then count me IN!
;-)
If it don’t cost $60k or something ridiculous like that, I think it could sell.
I always wonder about these relaunches...if you want the original, why not just use they same design and update it?
Not even a nice try
I’d actually like to see them restyle the Gia.
It’s 4:20 somewhere.
Don't judge it until you see one with a psychedelic paint job.
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?
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.
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.
How many pounds of weed will it cost? ;-)
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