All-electric Volkswagen Microbus (Kombi) confirmed for production!



The original Volkswagen Microbus (Kombi Van, Bulli in some markets) was released in United States 70 years ago and became an instant hit not just in the US but everywhere around the world. Seven decades later, Volkswagen has announced that an all-electric successor to the Microbus will enter production come 2022!

Unveiled at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the new Microbus will be based on Volkswagen’s I.D. BUZZ concept car and like all vehicles of the I.D. family, the Microbus will feature an all-electric drivetrain. Like its predecessor, Volkswagen will also be offering the new-generation Microbus in different body styles to satisfy a wide-spectrum of consumers. A cargo variant with Level 3 autonomous driving is already in the pipeline.

Measuring at 4,942 mm in length, 1,976 mm in width and 1,963 mm in height, the concept car offers exceptional interior space just like the original Microbus. The battery pack for the electric powertrain will also be mounted in the vehicle floor as to not take up the interior space. According to the company, the production version will incorporate much of the design cues from the concept car and feature variable seating, highly automated driving among others.

Despite being more than 70 years apart, the new model carries its predecessor’s genes – maximum utilisation of space on the footprint of a midsize passenger car. “After the presentations at the global motor shows in Detroit and Geneva, we received a large number of letters and emails from customers who said, “please build this car”, Volkswagen CEO Dr Herbert Diess reported in Pebble Beach.

“The Microbus, known as the Bulli in America, has always been part of the Californian lifestyle. Now we’re bringing it back by developing Volkswagen’s next e-generation and by reinventing the Bulli as an electric vehicle.” added Diess.

This all-electric Volkswagen Microbus sounds promising eh? Wouldn’t mind taking one of these on a 20,000 km journey like the guys at #Live2Drive!


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