VW to Build New Microbus Using Bulli Concept

Rumors regarding a potential Microbus designed by carmaker Volkswagen surfaced since late 2010 but, after the company finally presented the Bulli concept at the Geneva Auto Show, it was pretty clear that the prototype will spawn a new Microbus. And R&D boss Ulrich Hackenberg confirmed that the six-seat MPV will be developed using the MDS (modular design system) platform.

Volkswagen intends to use the same platform for several future projects, including the upcoming generation Audi A3 as well as some other models to be sold under the VW brand, including the new Microbus.

According to a report by Autocar, the future MPV won't be made in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as the local facility will only concentrate on the new midsize sedan called Passat.

The Bulli concept shown in Geneva was powered by an 80 kW electric motor backed by a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery. Official figures claim the battery should be enough for a range of up to 300 km (185 miles) on a single charge. Volkswagen even claims that a complete charge of the battery takes less than an hour from special EV station.

Volkswagen hasn't mentioned when exactly we should expect the production-ready Microbus but voices familiar with the matter hinted that it should arrive in two or three years. In the United States, it will compete against the xB model produced by Scion, but the Microbus is already regarded as a brand-spawning model, becoming the fifth people carrier after the Caddy, Touran, Sharan and the larger Caravelle.