Volkswagen Microbus/Bulli concept vehicles

Last updated
Microbus
VW Microbus 2001 1.jpg
Microbus (2001) at IAA 2001
Overview
Manufacturer Volkswagen
Body and chassis
Body style 3 and 4 door minivan
Related Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
Dimensions
Length5 m (15.5 ft) [1]
Chronology
Predecessor
Successor Volkswagen Bulli

The Volkswagen Microbus/Bulli concept vehicles are a series of concept cars that are styled to recall the original Volkswagen Microbus built by Volkswagen AG. The first of these was the Volkswagen Microbus Concept Car (also known as the New Microbus and Microbus Concept), first presented at the 2001 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Contents

Later concepts included the Bulli (2011), BUDD-e (2016), and ID BUZZ (2017), all battery electric vehicle concepts, and the ID BUZZ has now gone into production after its launch in 2022.

Design

The new Microbus Concept was completely modern compared to the Type 2, featuring a 7-inch screen in the center console and a second ceiling-located 7-inch screen that allowed the driver to see behind the vehicle. [2] Passengers had 8-inch screens mounted in the seatbacks for video entertainment. [3] The Microbus Concept was approximately the same size as the contemporary Volkswagen Eurovan, and was powered by a newly developed 3.2L V-6 engine with stated output of 172 kW (231 hp) and 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft). [1]

Styling of the Microbus Concept was handled by Volkswagen's California Design Studio in Simi Valley. [4]

History

The Microbus Concept debuted at the 2001 NAIAS in Detroit. [5] In June 2002 Volkswagen announced the Microbus Concept, using the platform of the forthcoming T5 light van, was slated for production commencing during 2003 at the company's Hannover plant, ramping up to 80,000 units annually by 2005. [6] The launch was deferred, however, and the project was canceled in spring 2004. [7]

In 2005, VW instead announced that Chrysler would build minivans for Volkswagen in the United States, while in Europe the VW Transporter Multivan would fill the niche previously intended for the reborn Microbus. The Chrysler built Volkswagen Routan was released to the North American market in September 2008. Unrelated to the new Microbus, the Routan is a seven-seat minivan and is a rebadged variant of the Chrysler RT platform, fifth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. [8] [9]

Battery electric successors

Bulli (2011)

Bulli
VWBulliVan.jpg
Bulli at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show
Overview
Manufacturer Volkswagen
Body and chassis
Body style minivan
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,590 mm (102 in) [10]
Length3,960 mm (156 in) [11] [12]
Width1,740 mm (68.4 in) [12]
Height1,680 mm (66 in) [12]
Chronology
PredecessorVolkswagen Microbus concept
Successor Volkswagen BUDD-e
Bulli concept, on display at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show Volkswagen Bulli rear 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.jpg
Bulli concept, on display at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

In September 2008, Autoblog reported that the Microbus Concept might actually yet be produced, [13] and at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen unveiled a second, smaller concept van (also reminiscent of the first generation Transporter) called the Bulli. [14] In the event, the Bulli also was not actually produced as envisioned in 2011.

The Bulli concept was powered by a 85 kW (114 hp) motor that developed 270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft) of torque, drawing from a 40 kWh (140 MJ) battery for up to 186 mi (299 km) of range. Rear seats may be folded, expanding cargo room from 370 to 1,590 L (13 to 56 cu ft). The interior featured two rows of bench seats and could accommodate six people; dimensions were similar to the earlier Space Up! concept car. [10] [11]

BUDD-e (2016)

BUDD-e
Salao do Automovel 2016 (30968199995).jpg
BUDD-e
Overview
Manufacturer Volkswagen
Body and chassis
Body style minivan
Platform VW MEB
Dimensions
Length4,600 mm (181 in) [15]
Chronology
Predecessor Volkswagen Bulli
Successor Volkswagen I.D. Buzz

Volkswagen announced that it was developing an all-electric platform in October 2015, as part of its response to the diesel emissions scandal. The platform was eventually named the MEB platform. The BUDD-e was revealed on January 5, 2016, at the Consumer Electronics Show, as the first concept based on the forthcoming MEB platform. That was the day after the United States Department of Justice filed suit against Volkswagen AG for its role in the diesel emissions scandal. [15] [16]

Like the earlier Bulli concept of 2011, the BUDD-e used two rows of seating. The 101 kWh (360 MJ) battery in the BUDD-e gave it an estimated range of 233 mi (375 km). [15] The MEB-based BUDD-e used two motors, one each on the front and rear axle for a total mechanical output power of 225 kW (302 hp). It was also fitted with photovoltaic panels in the roof. [16]

ID. BUZZ (2017)

I.D. BUZZ
Volkswagen press conference, IAA 2017, Frankfurt (1Y7A2075).jpg
I.D. Buzz at the IAA 2017
Overview
Manufacturer Volkswagen
Also calledVW electric microbus
Production2022– [17]
Designer Einar Castillo
Body and chassis
Body style 3 and 4 door minivan
Platform VW MEB [18]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3,300 mm (130 in) [18] [19]
Length4,942 mm (195 in) [18] [19]
Width1,976 mm (78 in) [18] [19]
Height1,963 mm (77 in) [18] [19]
Chronology
Predecessor Volkswagen BUDD-e

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz debuted at the January 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. [19] It was also based on the MEB platform. Unlike the Bulli and BUDD-e, the ID. Buzz featured three rows of seating.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen</span> German automobile manufacturer

Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. Founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front under the Nazi Party and revived into the global brand it is known as today post World War II by the British Army officer Ivan Hirst, it is known for the iconic Beetle and serves as the flagship brand of the Volkswagen Group, the largest automotive manufacturer by worldwide sales in 2016 and 2017. The group's biggest market is in China, which delivers 40 percent of its sales and profits. Its name is derived from the German-language terms Volk and Wagen, translating to "people's car" when combined.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Caravan</span> Vehicle created by Dodge

The Dodge Caravan is a series of minivans that was manufactured by Chrysler from the 1984 to 2020 model years. The Dodge version of the Chrysler minivans, the Caravan was marketed as both a passenger van and a cargo van. For 1987, a long-wheelbase Dodge Grand Caravan was introduced. Produced in five generations across 36 model years, the Dodge Caravan is the second longest-lived Dodge nameplate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North American International Auto Show</span> Annual auto show in Detroit, Michigan

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), also known as the Detroit Auto Show, is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., at Huntington Place. The show was held in January from 1989 to 2019. It was intended to move to the summer in 2020, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic that year and 2021, before returning in September 2022. It is among the largest auto shows in North America. UPI says the show is "regarded as the foremost venue for [car] manufacturers to unveil new products".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Sharan</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen Sharan is a seven-seater minivan that was produced by the German Volkswagen Group and built at the AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal, with a front-wheel-drive version across two generations, from 1995 to 2022. Through badge engineering, the Volkswagen Sharan shares the same platform with the SEAT Alhambra, and the first generation was also in most respects identical to the Ford Galaxy. From 2010 to 2022 the Sharan was in its second generation. It is described in the motor industry as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler minivans</span> Motor vehicle platform

The Chrysler minivans are a series of minivans that have been produced and marketed by the American automaker Chrysler since the 1984 model year. Currently in its sixth generation, the model line is marketed worldwide, primarily in North America and Europe. Introduced as the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, the Chrysler minivans have been marketed under a variety of nameplates under the Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, and Ram brands; through the use of rebadging, the model line has also been marketed under the Lancia and Volkswagen brands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Auto Show</span> Annual US auto show

The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Place convention center. It is the largest auto show in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York International Auto Show</span> Annual US auto show

The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show that is held in Manhattan, New York City in late March or early April. It is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LA Auto Show</span> Annual US auto show

The Los Angeles Auto Show, also known as the LA Auto Show, is an auto show held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, United States. It is open to the public for ten days, filling 760,000 square feet (71,000 m2) of exhibit space. Since 2006 the event is held in November or December.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Routan</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen Routan is a seven-seat minivan and rebadged variant of the Chrysler RT platform, with revised styling, content features, and suspension tuning from the fifth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen CrossBlue</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen CrossBlue is a concept diesel plug-in-hybrid mid size crossover SUV, intended to sit in the range of SUVs by Volkswagen, below the Volkswagen Touareg. The concept version of the car has six seats, but the production version that will be based on it will have a traditional seven seat layout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen BUDD-e</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen BUDD-e is an electric concept car made by German car manufacturer Volkswagen. The BUDD-e has been often compared to the Volkswagen Microbus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler minivans (RT)</span> Motor vehicle

The RT-platform Chrysler minivans are a series of passenger minivans marketed by Chrysler starting in model year 2008, the fifth in six generations of Chrysler minivans. Depending on the market, these vans were known as the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler Grand Voyager, Lancia Voyager, Ram Cargo Van, and the Volkswagen Routan, a modified version sold by Volkswagen in North America. Only long wheelbase models were offered with the Dodge Journey replacing the short wheelbase model. While most versions were discontinued in 2016 with the launch of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, the Grand Caravan remained in production until 2020. It was replaced by the sixth generation Chrysler Voyager, a new entry-level model based on the existing Chrysler Pacifica minivan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID.3</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen ID.3 is a battery electric small family car (C-segment) produced by Volkswagen since 2019. It is the first production car to utilize the MEB platform, and the first model of the ID. series. It was unveiled on 9 September 2019 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, after being first shown as the I.D. concept car at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Deliveries to retail customers began in Germany in September 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID. Buzz</span> Battery electric minivan

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a battery electric minivan produced by German manufacturer Volkswagen. Based on the dedicated battery electric MEB platform, it is the first production electric minivan from Volkswagen and part of the Volkswagen ID. series. The design of the ID. Buzz is inspired by the Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Microbus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID. Crozz</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen ID. Crozz is an electric concept car based on Volkswagen's electric MEB platform, and part of the ID. series. It was first shown as a prototype at the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show. A revised version, named the "ID. Crozz II", was shown at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. A hint of the ID. Crozz production version was also promised for the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, alongside the debut of the ID.3 and the next generation E-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen Group MEB platform</span> Modular electric car platform

The Volkswagen Group MEB platform is a modular car platform for electric cars developed by the Volkswagen Group and its subsidiaries. It is used in models of Audi, Cupra, Škoda, and Volkswagen, along with Ford through partnership. The architecture is aimed to "consolidate electronic controls and reduce the number of microprocessors, advance the application of new driver-assistance technology and somewhat alter the way cars are built" by the VW Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID. series</span> Family of battery electric cars

The Volkswagen ID. series is a family of battery electric cars from Volkswagen (VW), built on the MEB platform that is developed by the Volkswagen Group for a range of electric cars. Deliveries began in late 2020. By November 2022, half a million vehicles have been delivered.

The Volkswagen e-Beetle is a modified automobile first shown in October 2019 at IAA in Frankfurt. A donor Volkswagen Type 1303 Super Beetle convertible was updated by replacing the original petrol drivetrain with the electric motor, transmission, and battery used in the e-Up. Parts were taken from the regular Volkswagen production line, and installed by specialist partner eClassics in Renningen after consulting with Volkswagen Group Components.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID.6</span> Motor vehicle

The Volkswagen ID.6 is a battery electric mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Volkswagen in China from 2021. It is based on the MEB platform, and part of the ID. series electric vehicle line-up. In China, the FAW-Volkswagen joint venture will produce and market the ID.6 Crozz, whereas SAIC-Volkswagen will build and market the ID.6 X with a slightly altered styling. As of April 2022, it is the second largest vehicle of the Volkswagen ID. series, and the second largest built on the MEB platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen ID. Life</span> Volkswagen concept vehicle

The Volkswagen ID. Life is an electric subcompact SUV concept revealed by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen at the 2021 International Motor Show Germany.

References

  1. 1 2 Walton, Chris (July 1, 2001). "First Look: Volkswagen Microbus". Motor Trend. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  2. ↑ "Concept Car Microbus" (Press release). Volkswagen AG Newsroom. February 27, 2001. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  3. ↑ Valdes-Dapena, Peter (May 20, 2003). "The Microbus is coming back!". CNN Money. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "VW closes Santa Monica design studio". Automotive News. August 29, 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  5. ↑ Pund, Dan (January 7, 2001). "Volkswagen Microbus". Car and Driver. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  6. ↑ "Neues vom Auto: VW baut den neuen Microbus is Hannover". Auto, Motor und Sport . 2002. Heft 14: Seite 12. 26 June 2002.
  7. ↑ Garrett, Jerry (November 29, 2004). "Love Beads Are Gone, but Microbus Beat Goes On" . The New York Times. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  8. ↑ "Chicago 2008: Volkswagen unveils the newish Routan minivan". Autoblog.com, Jeremy Korzeniewski, Feb 6 2008.
  9. ↑ "2009 Volkswagen Routan Minivan - - What's New for 2009". About.com, Jeff James. Archived from the original on 2008-01-08.
  10. 1 2 Glockman, David (February 28, 2011). "Volkswagen Bulli Concept". Car and Driver. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  11. 1 2 Thomas, David (February 28, 2011). "Volkswagen Bulli Concept at 2011 Geneva Motor Show". cars.com. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  12. 1 2 3 DeLorenzo, matt (March 2, 2011). "Volkswagen Bulli Concept". Road & Track. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  13. ↑ "Rumormill: VW Microbus back on the table?". Autoblog.com, Alex Nunez, Sep 6 2008.
  14. ↑ "Geneva 2011: Volkswagen Bulli". topgear.com, Paul Horrell, March 1, 2011.
  15. 1 2 3 Tingwall, Eric (January 5, 2016). "Volkswagen BUDD-e Concept: Inspired by Microbus". Car and Driver. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  16. 1 2 Boruslawski, Piotr (January 6, 2016). "volkswagen launches electric microbus BUDD-e at CES 2016". designboom. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  17. ↑ Stevens, Tim (19 August 2017). "VW's adorable I.D. Buzz hits dealerships in 2022, but we drove it today". Roadshow. CNET.com. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 "2017 Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ Concept". ConceptCarz.com. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "NAIAS 2017 in Detroit: Volkswagen presents the ID. BUZZ" (Press release). Volkswagen Group Newsroom. January 9, 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.