VW Microbus Concept...Bring it Back

In 2001 VW showed an intriguing concept of the Microbus at the Detroit Auto Show. Like BMW's update of the Mini Cooper, the Microbus concept was compelling both to an older generation that lived with (or in!) the 1960's original but also to a younger demographic.

A production version was supposed to be on the streets about now. Unfortunately, in 2005, the program was cancelled and there has been little word or rumor of it coming back. Apparently they are building “something” for the European market for next year, but it seems unlikely it will even be branded as a Microbus.

Considerable changes have happened in last few years. Large SUV's have fallen from favor, and manufacturers are scrambling to create crossovers with better fuel economy and retain the “lifestyle” image for customers unwilling to move to the minivan platform. The need for large capacity, though, remains unmet in these smaller vehicles.

The time for the next Microbus is ripe. In an era where product differentiation is key, and where marketers raid old model nameplates and designers search old parts bins for retro “cues,” the Microbus is pure gold. No one remembers the sluggish 0-60 times, the lack of driver protection in front-end collisions, or the iffy reliability of the original, nor should they. If BMW can package the MINI, a small “niche” vehicle into one of the biggest success stories in the decade, then certainly VW can tap into the demand for a unique and truly practical family hauler.

VW must build this vehicle. They must build it better than anything they have built before, to a higher level of quality to compensate for their brand image. They must pay close attention to detail, and give it a variety of powerplant choices to match the diverse group of potential buyers. And they must price it with a similarly wide range of models for various income levels.

VW can skimp in one area: marketing. The word will spread very quickly for pre-orders, and once those vehicles hit the streets the rest will sell themselves.

What do you think? Would you buy one?

Designer1 - 3/31/2007 10:40:58 PM

+2 Boost

This is one very old concept.

Matthew1 - 3/31/2007 10:55:03 PM

+9 Boost

Obviously the point of this article was lost on you.

chewy - 3/31/2007 10:54:57 PM

0 Boost

The VW minivan based of the Dodge/Chrysler van will be very different than those two, I am thinking that something along the lines of the Microbus will be the VW van.

chewy - 3/31/2007 10:54:57 PM

-4 Boost

The VW minivan based of the Dodge/Chrysler van will be very different than those two, I am thinking that something along the lines of the Microbus will be the VW van.

EL34 - 4/1/2007 12:54:39 AM

+8 Boost

Yes, bring back the Microbus..

truckmen - 4/1/2007 5:35:31 AM

+1 Boost

Ugly, but I love it! If it would achieve good gas mielage I would think about getting one depending on price. VW is a little pricy and presently have some big competition from Honda and Toyota. I would be surprised if this VW could out perform these two in any areas. We will see?

david999 - 4/1/2007 11:16:53 AM

-4 Boost

It would be a waste of time and money.

tom333 - 4/1/2007 12:21:59 PM

+3 Boost

The microbus concept is a really great and detailed design.

Don't bash it guys.

smshnick - 4/1/2007 12:36:02 PM

+2 Boost

I love the idea, I think VW should bring it back.... but who's going to tell them to do it? After Porsche buys VW maybe they'll make a MicroCayenne. HA HA!! Just kidding

EL34 - 4/1/2007 3:16:26 PM

+1 Boost

The New Beetle hardtop & convertible here in Irvine, Ca is selling like hotcakes.

The Microbus will do the same.

S4cabriofoxone - 4/1/2007 10:26:08 PM

+3 Boost

No, you don't want to be TOO retro.

This is a very contemporary successor to the original Microbus; the fact that they weren't tempted to give it bug-eye headlamps and other retro touches is a beautiful exercise of restraint.

speedmaster - 4/1/2007 4:40:29 PM

+5 Boost

The current not-for-sale Eurovans have incredible resale. I see 2001-2002 Eurovans with the camper shells on craigslists still fetching $20,000-$30,000.

There is still a market for this vehicle.
With the Chrysler Town-n-Country now having the lunch tables and reverse facing chairs, VW could have one. Strange enough, Chrysler is building the minivan for VW. It would be interesting to see how it turns out.

Matthew1 - 4/1/2007 7:17:33 PM

+4 Boost

VW already produces a versatile 'lifestyle' van with fridge, picnic tables, swivelling seats etc.

http://www.vw.co.uk/new_cars/caravelle

S4cabriofoxone - 4/1/2007 10:27:35 PM

+1 Boost

This concept is almost six years old; it's not coming to market. Put your fears to rest.

chewy - 4/1/2007 10:32:40 PM

+1 Boost

But the VW version of the new Dodge/Chrysler is supposed to be very much different looking with adventurous styling. I think that it could have some Microbus Concept elements in it.

MunichRob - 4/1/2007 11:22:01 PM

0 Boost

It's ugly, but then agian vans aren't suposed to be stylish. At least this ones kind of cool & has personality to it, besides if the Aztec & Honda Element can sell I'm sure this can.

froggy780 - 4/2/2007 11:33:22 AM

+2 Boost

I hope VW can bring back their image. I love their products but their designs are too bland right now. They need to focus on edgy products like the VW new microbus concept that they axed. That vehicle would have sold prety well like the new beetle. Instead, VW decided to invest alot of money into bringing the Phaeton to the US, but that failed. VW needs to understand that the average consumer won't pay $60,000 for a VW when they can buy a Lexus or a BMW (not that I agree with that). The Phaeton was a nice car with a lot of features but it was not an amazing looking car----it was average. To top it all off, VW wants to bring a redesigned Phaeton to the US. What are they thinking? Axe that project and bring more futuristic and compelling projects into production. The new Jetta looks really nice but can cost up to $24,110---come on ( the rear also looks like a Toyota Corolla) . They also brought back the "rabbit" name that seems a bit strange because the original "rabbit" was the car that made VW look bad---it had engine and quality control problems. Why change the name from Golf to Rabbit?

froggy780 - 4/2/2007 11:54:23 AM

+2 Boost

By the way, I think it's dumb that VW would have Dodge/Chrysler produce their upcoming new van that will be built off the new Grand Caravan platform. Chrysler has quality control problems that are just as bad as VW. Also, consumers tend not to buy rebadged products--the Mazada Tribute which is a Ford Escape, Mitsubishi Raider which is some Chevy, Suzuki Verona which is a Daewoo, Honda Passport which was an Isuzu, Isuzu Oasis which was a Honda Odyssey, Acura SLX which was an Isuzu Trooper, Lincoln LT which is a Ford F150 and it looks the same, Mercury Sable which was a Ford Taurus, and many others. Car companies tend to do this to fill holes in their lineup that they feel are needed but are actually not needed.

truckmen - 4/3/2007 3:21:24 AM

+1 Boost

Froggy, I think Dodge is hands down the most innovative auto company around with great ideas, one area I know we will all agree is the fact that the quality is crap.This VW will go nowhere unless it is reliable and I hope it doesn't have that dodge minivan tranny! It must also be better on gas or why would anyone want it so small?

Matthew1 - 4/4/2007 7:38:37 AM

+1 Boost

Most innovative?

Not for a long time!

normEbadpantsIII - 5/4/2007 11:41:31 PM

+1 Boost

Here in Australia VW have released the 'kombi beach' which is a t5 transporter fitted out for camping. The old kombi's/microbus have a lot more style..Cars are emotional for a lot of us and style counts..so does safety and reliability which old vw buses have very little of..but loads of style..I don't want a speed machine just a safe, reliable and stylish van..the microbus concept would do nicely...when will it ever happen?

allthebiz - 6/9/2008 12:19:28 PM

+1 Boost

I would buy one of these. And I would never buy a minivan. But this, I would buy. And I am sure millions of other people would too.

correati - 12/13/2010 6:25:34 PM

+1 Boost

Now that's a real VW bus. Keep the price and fuel economy down and I might make the Microbus my first new car purchase ever.t.c.