Volkswagen used to be renowned for the Beetle, and now the spotlight is held by the Golf.
Back in the day, there was another model that was synonymous with the German brand, and it was known as the Microbus or Type 2 Transporter.
While the Transporter series of commercial vehicles from Volkswagen lives on, they have strayed significantly from the design of the first model, which was named Type 2 because Type 1 was the Beetle. Back then, the Volkswagen range only had two models, and both were air-cooled.
As the years went on, the first and second generations of the Transporter carried half the world from one place to another, but Volkswagen seemed to have forgotten its roots.
The Beetle was eventually given a rebirth, followed by a second generation in the modern age, but that has not happened to the Microbus.
Volkswagen has developed and showcased multiple concept vehicles that were supposed to show us how a contemporary Bulli would look, but none of them ever made it to the production line.
We are calling the Microbus “Bulli” because that was its original name from Volkswagen, but the automaker had to ditch it because another company already trademarked it.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen is going through an emissions scandal, and the world seems to like buying cars that are distinct from what used to be popular in previous years. Crossovers are a must-have these days, and electric vehicles have become a constant presence in the portfolios of most automakers.
In the wake of these changes in the automotive industry, Volkswagen has reportedly given the Microbus an approval for the development of a production version. The model will be inspired by the Budd-e Concept vehicle showcased this year, and it will be a full-electric vehicle.
Volkswagen representatives have yet to confirm these rumors regarding the Microbus, but previous statements and a long line of concept cars show that it will eventually happen.
The electric architecture developed by Volkswagen will allow the automaker to employ a variety of body styles, and relaunching the Microbus in EV form might be the winning formula for this model. If the Microbus’ modern successor also gets the green light for the market launch, it could be in Volkswagen showrooms in 2020.
While the Transporter series of commercial vehicles from Volkswagen lives on, they have strayed significantly from the design of the first model, which was named Type 2 because Type 1 was the Beetle. Back then, the Volkswagen range only had two models, and both were air-cooled.
As the years went on, the first and second generations of the Transporter carried half the world from one place to another, but Volkswagen seemed to have forgotten its roots.
The Beetle was eventually given a rebirth, followed by a second generation in the modern age, but that has not happened to the Microbus.
Volkswagen has developed and showcased multiple concept vehicles that were supposed to show us how a contemporary Bulli would look, but none of them ever made it to the production line.
We are calling the Microbus “Bulli” because that was its original name from Volkswagen, but the automaker had to ditch it because another company already trademarked it.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen is going through an emissions scandal, and the world seems to like buying cars that are distinct from what used to be popular in previous years. Crossovers are a must-have these days, and electric vehicles have become a constant presence in the portfolios of most automakers.
In the wake of these changes in the automotive industry, Volkswagen has reportedly given the Microbus an approval for the development of a production version. The model will be inspired by the Budd-e Concept vehicle showcased this year, and it will be a full-electric vehicle.
Volkswagen representatives have yet to confirm these rumors regarding the Microbus, but previous statements and a long line of concept cars show that it will eventually happen.
The electric architecture developed by Volkswagen will allow the automaker to employ a variety of body styles, and relaunching the Microbus in EV form might be the winning formula for this model. If the Microbus’ modern successor also gets the green light for the market launch, it could be in Volkswagen showrooms in 2020.