Maybe it’s just because I’m a Dad who refuses to get a minivan, but I seriously want Volkswagon to bring back the Microbus. (Or maybe BMW’s Mini should make one and call it the Minibus). VW showed off an updated Microbus concept vehicle a few years back, but now there is serious talk that VW is thinking about actually producing it in North America. I hope they do. It looks like a fun ride and, unlike the Mini, has enough room for two kids and luggage.
The popularity of the original VW Microbus from the 1960s outlasted its production life. VW’s research center in Palo Alto (yes, everyone has a research center there) retrofitted a 1964 Deluxe Microbus with electric batteries and and solar panels disguised as surfboards on the roof rack. I can do without the faux surfboards, but making the new VW all-electric or at least hybrid would double its appeal. Touch-screen Web tablets linked to a 3G or EVDO wireless network and built into the back seats wouldn’t be a bad option either.
Good that you have added the last sentence in the post otherwise I’d be confused that I’m on Jalopnik and not on TechCrunch.
Yes, we can cover anything we want on TechCrunch as long as we mention “3G”
It’s OK on a busy weekend before TC50.
I wouldn’t buy one, but they would definitely be one of the best selling things ever. Perfect for that traveling all-star!
The Eurovan was basically the 90s version of the Microbus, it failed miserably
but certainly didn’t have the personality of the microbus
The Eurovan failed because VW bumped the price considerably.
well, the eurovan is called transporter here (netherlands) and you see it everywhere polluting the view. The one in the picture on the top of this post looks better than any VW I have seen in 10 years, and I see plenty as they are very, very popular in this little country. Even I would get one, and I am real picky.
basically you want one because you are in cali…everywhere else people don’t have much use for hybrids
This post is so right.
Only if it had a “hybrid adapter” mounted on the back — otherwise the range would be too short
A TDI version would be much better.
Last few lines gained some confidence back to me that TC hasn’t deviated from its focus… [:)]
would def buy one, our dam is set to out grow our subu very soon and I lust over the styling of the minibus. Updated with hybrid tech and maybe some optional apple tech features and VW would have a winner. Seems like japan is kicking Germany’s butt in hybrid space, this would be a major win and huge for enviro conscious fun loving famalies.
Plus, there’s the other iteration designed by Alexandre Verdier, which is similar to what you suggest with solar, hybrid, and other green elements.
http://www.verdier.ca/
I’d put my name and $10,000 on a waiting list today if VW brought the canned Microbus concept to the US. The Routan is a joke.
I say they should team up with Apple and pimp it out with enough Technology toys to keep the family happy and occupied.
And then make it run on Apple Juice. You know - from the grocery store. None of that “Contains 15% Juice” junk either. I’m talking about the hard stuff. 100%.
Price: US$85,0000
I explained the entire concept of a VW with MAC inside and she said that would be AWESOME!!!!! Women love MAC makeup!!!!!
Agreed.
Great post…I have been saying this for a while. Also been trying to get people to start saving and renovating older micro bus and westfalia….into biodiesel as a solution for the interim.
Good stuff…I’d sure buy one!!
Yeah? How much is a diesel Vanagon these days, anyway?
I dont get it..what’s the point? Coolness, nostalgia, because it would sell well? Youre just perpetuating the wastefulness and excess that is SUVs and re-wrapping it to appeal to granola eating, birkenstock wearing hippy wannabes. This is like the hipsters in the Mission who thing theyre being ‘green’ by riding 70s era mopeds while spewing toxic fumes everywhere.
I think that might be why Erik is encouraging them to “make it electric.”
I’m not a car builder, but I’m pretty sure that an electric car eliminates the toxic fumes and wastefulness.
..making it electric will help but not much with today’s battery technology. The benefits of going electric is for small/light vehicles, not overszed behemoths.
And not to be picky, but electric cars aren’t per se without toxic fumes and wastefulness. Generally speaking, you’re switching from gas to coal/natural gas. Slap some solar on the roof, or even a couple small wind turbines, and you’ll be a step closer to powering your car without either coal or gas.
gotcha. Like I said, I’m not a car builder. I’ve never driven a hybrid or an electric car, so I don’t know much about battery life in those things.
The new design does look pretty cool though, you have to at least admit that much.
I’m not sure if I would purchase another VW though. We’ve had two so far (Golf & Jetta), and they are horrendously expensive to repair. I can’t imagine how expensive a hybrid or electric VW would be to fix.
Coolness, nostalgia, and good sales are all spectacular reasons in and of themselves to build it. Even if it was gas powered, it would be replacing other less exciting minivans. Comparing a necessary family mover to a wasteful SUV isn’t very intelligent. Also, “granola eating hippies” can’t afford new cars. The target market wouldn’t be dissimilar to the Beetle and Mini: wasps with families and people over 50 with grand kids.
..most of the people who buy these things can get by with a standard 4-5 person passenger car with room to spare for cargo. i dont buy the argument that this would be any more useful or less harmful to the environment than your oversized minivan or suv.
nemrut, you apparently aren’t all that familiar with the original Microbus. While there aren’t a lot of data available concerning the fuel economy of the first generation Type 2s, the 1950-1967 first gen platform represented in the article began life with a 25hp engine and the production engines never went over 42hp. Not exactly SUV style fuel consumption going on there. Even up through the Vanagon days there was only one engine which put out more than 100hp. Also keep in mind that these are nowhere near as top heavy as your typical SUV and they generally have a lot more cargo area with a simple interior.
..actually i am very familiar with them having grown up around many owners of them. they were loud, obnoxious and spewed out lots of toxic particulates. if they were re-introduced, the cynic in me predicts there would be a lack of simplicity and instead loaded with the latest gadgets/comforts.
The original was a pretty efficient way of getting around. And some people do have more than 1.3 children.
We need efficient solutions for singles, couples, small families, AND for large families too. Transportation isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition.
The new one is gorgeous! It’s ideal for young people with lots of friends who want to have lots of fun in lots of places!
Only if it was built by Honda/Toyota using a rear wheel drive Boxter drive train.
I’m guessing you’re betting the Porsche-VW merger is approved.
This would be great in Costa Rica.
How about a clean diesel / electric hybrid? Now THAT would be kick-ass.
But even electrics are gettting to have pretty decent mileage now. And a minivan like this would have the underside room for extra batteries!
I would buy any electric vehicule as long as it’s not hybrid. I want a low maintainance, on simple electric engine, less moving parts. In fact I pledge to never buy again a new car until I can find a 100% electric car.
An electric mini van would make for a very short road trip.
They should produce it in Deutschland because Volkswagen is a deutsche company. Would be great to see them producing it in Deutschland.
the new version kind of looks like… a minivan.
I would like to buy an electric Microbus but only if it’s range extended, basically a plug in hybrid. That means it can run for say 40 miles on electric alone then switches over to a normal hybrid. Plug it in at night during off peak power.
Vans are used a lot for long range trips (vacations, etc). Electric only drive trains would make 300+ mile trips a thing of the past. They need the infrastructure of gas stations and ease of use of quickly pumping a liquid fuel into your tank. I realize that the extra battery weight will reduce fuel economy when in hybrid only mode, but that’s a tradeoff.
Good idea here, but let’s make it a PHEV instead of an EV.
I’ve always thought that VW would be the right auto company to implement my idea for a “happy horn.” Do you ever want to honk at someone to say “thanks” or “hello” or “excuse me,” but you end up with the typical really loud honk that most people interpret as angry?
My idea would be an alternative horn sound that is quieter and happier sounding and triggered by a second button. Perhaps it could even offer the car horn equivalent of downloadable ring tones so that you could have many different and unique horn sounds for different situations.
This would be really useful for cars that honk at me when I am riding my bike. They usually just want to let me know that they are passing me, which is appreciated. However, their horn always scare the s**t out of me. A happy horn would be an ideal solution.
It’s such a useless idea for me as there is no way to make money, but I could VW implementing this “feature” as a differentiator that builds the brand, much like the flower holder in the new version of the Beetle.
I love your “happy horn” idea! Have you ever ridden your bike when an EV or Hybrid was behind you? That’s even more scary, you don’t even know the sucker is there till that big hunk of metal is right next to you! How about equipping all EV’s with constant streaming “happy Sounds” ? You know, like the old ice cream trucks…
It certainly has room for a battery.
my wife and i talk about this very thing all the time. no chance for a minivan, but a vw bus - money!
OMG… Either while browsing I inadvertently saw your post or we are synchronized… Erick, I saw this picture on another site and posted exactly the same thing…
So go ahead VW, we want it back but this time Electric!
Its a great piece of car man.
Nice design and more eco friendly
Nice buy man
see the world most powerful police car at funpiz.blogspot.com
Na, I will keep my H3, kinda cool if they had an Hybrid H3 or an electric one, but I’m not sure how it will work in the woods I am pretty sure the electric won’t be a good mountain car.
Oh well, oil is falling, we will be drilling again, so bring on the V8’s baby!
Erick! I think about this ALLL the time!
I totally agree with you - one of VW’s biggest mistakes was not making this Microbus - instead they’re launching the already doomed Routan, which is based on an effin Caravan. Ugh.
Start a revolution. I’m wit cha.
The VW bus (or as you call it microbus) has been made for long range travel. That would not fit with an electric concept at all.
I had one of the original VW vans. It had its endearing quirks, and hauled drum kits and amplifiers like a champion, but it also struggled up moderate inclines, blew all over the road in a cross-wind, and had a heater that was of only psychological comfort. No thanks. Suck it up and get a minivan.
I think making the VW Microbus electric is a great idea and using the solar panels disguised as surfboards is extremely inventive.
Alvira Khan
Florida Atlantic University
FAU Alumni
I want one with the camper pop-top option!
Oh yeah… Create a VW Camper Van version and I would be waiting inline with cash in my hand. I went camping with a friend in the 80’s and it was the greatest thing with the pop-top and the small propane camping stove. I tried and small motor home.. not thanks but I would get one if these in a second.. A diesel version would be soooo cool…
I totally hope this happens. I own a 1977 Westfalia bus camper and love the thing to death. I certainly hope some new ones come out, then I can proceed to convert the 77 to a mobile LAN rig
I remember that it took humility going up hills and skill in a strong wind. Nonetheless, it worked well for many of us. I would suggest that one explore recent developments in the electric motorcycle as a power base for the new bus.
Again it might require some caution regarding range, but battery weight might handle a strong wind better than the original.
Mike Graebner
Check out evmiles.com. Their 100% electric high-speed legal sedans will hit US markets Fall 2009.
Oops, I meant milesev.com
Bitte, bitte Volkswagen gebt der Welt diesen Wagen; ich sende einen Blanko-Scheck. Mein voller Ernst !
I’ve been waiting for this for y-e-a-r-s, but I’m gonna’ tell ya’… they better make it more retro like they did the New Beetle, or it isn’t going to have the market share or the lasting effects in everyone’s hearts. It better be endearingly cute (with the hood that comes to a point, the rounded headlights and the multiple skylight option) or it isn’t going to be as good a seller, or have the longevity. If they’ve given the project to the group at Palo Alto, those folks better take a lesson learned from their Beetle, and stop trying to be so futuristic as to blow an unbelievable opportunity, while us ‘boomers’ are still ready to plunk down the cash for one. Honestly, my family had VWs growing up and I bought a new Golf in 1986. It was the biggest piece of crap I’ve ever owned - and I’ve owned a bunch of cars… nice ones, some very rare. However, I WILL go out and buy a new microbus ‘tomorrow’… if they get it right. The internal goodies are not as important to me as the styling. Keep it simple, make it retro. It will sell. Why do think original restored microbuses (without ANY of the newer car options) are selling for close to $40,000. ???
I drove VW Micro busses for over twenty years .I crossed the USA about that many times.Volkswagen betrayed all thier loyal customers when they decided to compete with Toyota.Another company couyld steal that whole customer base if they came up with a good car fairly cheap and that could be maintained by the customer with ease. The problen with electrifying the microbus is that it pushes too much wind a karman Ghia yes, bus no. Though I am very much for bringing back the VW Mirco bus with the body of the 65 windows and all the improvements that came in up to the 70. The stability issue could be fixed and the oil cooling, the engine needs to be able to power the bus up to 80 and solidly cruise at 65mph.
I have been driveing an electric bike of late and what it needs is for the Feds to change the laws to allow 30mph and flash capicator chargeing even if the capictors flash charge to drip off to the battery.If thats possible.