Another year, another swirling rumor of the imminent return of the iconic Volkswagen Microbus. The latest actually has some credibility, however, given that they started at a group interview with VW product development board member Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neusser making comments that making “lifestyle vehicles,” such as the next-generation Beetle and yes, perhaps even a new Microbus, will become a priority at VW moving forward.
Dr. Neusser described both the Beetle and the Microbus as “two big pillars for the brand Volkswagen.” What’s more, the Microbus in particular—to be clear, it almost definitely won’t look like our rendering above—fits nicely into VW’s green-vehicle strategy as a long-range electric vehicle, thanks to van-size space for big, heavy batteries. And if there’s one thing we know about VW Microbus buyers, they’re green-minded from cradle to grave.
Would be MQB-Based, Would Be Instantly Identifiable as a Microbus
Credit the flexible MQB platform, which underpins everything from the VW Golf to the upcoming VW three-row crossover, for making a new Microbus a possibility, however distant it may be at this point. “We are actually thinking about how we can take all of the advantages of MQB and put it into a Microbus genetic code.” What is the genetic code of the Microbus? “First, the wide, solid D-pillar; second, the boxy design of the center section; and, thirdly, the front end must have a very short overhang—the distance from the A-pillar to the front end must be very short. Otherwise the hood is too long and it doesn’t look like a Microbus,” Neusser said. “That makes it hard, because this technical architecture of the Microbus with its rear engine is not anymore fitted to what we are doing with our mainstream architecture [and] where we have the greatest flexibility of different powertrains.”
Enter e-Mobility Agenda, Stage Left
Given that, a front-engine Microbus just wouldn’t make sense. But an electric Micros bus does. “It makes sense to think about a battery-electric car which doesn’t have the need to put all that space in front of the A-pillar because all you need is a small space for an electric motor in front, or perhaps you put it in the rear,” said Neusser. “It’s flexible, and we only have the need for the crash space.
“On the other hand we are also thinking about long-range battery-electric vehicles with more battery space inside, and [Microbus] also gives us that possibility since you sit up high and there is no need [to sit down in the car], so you have more flexibility inside.” That’s right, think of it as a Tesla Model X, only groovier.
If VW comes up with a suitable design (and can make a business case), then—and only then—we will see a concept roll out at a forthcoming auto show. “I don’t [want] to show things we can’t [build],” Neusser said. Apparently the company realizes its fans won’t take kindly to yet another Microbus tease with no fulfillment.
Neusser did not say how close VW is to getting there, but we like the idea of the Microbus returning as long-range electric vehicle that presumably would look fresher and cooler than the previous proposals, and more evocative than the egg-shaped Model X. And while we’re not going to get our hopes up too high—costs of long-range batteries could be a deal-killer in the end—we’d would love to see any form of new Microbus become a thing. Hey, speaking of Things . . .
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service - if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/1J6ozTS
via IFTTT
0 comments:
Post a Comment