Bulli For You: VW To Build Microvan

by Edward Niedermeyer

March 10th, 2011 11:18 AM

The first time VW showed a retro-inspired Van concept, they said they would build it but never did. Now, having shown a new, far smaller retro-inspired microvan [ gallery here], VW says they will not only build the thing, but thanks to their modular MQB platform, they’ll be able to build variations of it for markets around the world. Though VW’s development honcho Ulrich Hackenberg insists the microvan won’t be built at VW’s new plant in Chattanooga, TN, he does tell Autocar that it will be sold in the US and

aimed at the XB produced by Toyota’s youth brand, Scion.

Which means it will be built in Mexico, alongside the New Beetle. And come to think of it, the New Bulli and New Beetle seem to have quite a bit in common: both trade heavily on heritage-inspired looks while having little (if anything) to do with their actual inspirations. Which means the Baby Boomers will love it.

#FutureVehicles #Heritage #Retro

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7 of 27 comments

Verbal on Mar 10, 2011

This is all well and good, but will it have faulty electricals?

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- Tuckaloe on Mar 10, 2011
  
  It's a VW, of course it will have faulty electricals.
  
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FleetofWheel on Mar 10, 2011

We know from Bertel's reporting that VW is looking for volume to unseat Toyota as #1. Going after the Scion xB indicates they see a lot more potential there than the doubters of Scion and the xB.

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Theodore Dyck on Mar 10, 2011

This is good news. With the Panthers being discontinued, the Bulli will be crucial for keeping passenger-car front bench seats alive.

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Diseasel on Mar 10, 2011

You know, I kind of like it. Assuming that VW gets the proportions right and it it is more van-like and less Scion-y compact, I might be interested. Should it be available with a diesel engine, 4-Motion, and a manual transmission, well, then I'd really be interested.

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- Brettc on Mar 11, 2011
  
  TDI *and* 4Motion? That's asking way too much! The Audi A3 TDI can't even be had with Quattro... I don't understand why VW will not sell a car with a TDI and AWD. Sure the Touareg TDI has it, but I have no interest in buying one of those. I like the design of this thing. But the name is pretty stupid. I hope VW does offer it with a TDI and a manual. I'd consider one to replace my Jetta when the time comes.
  
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- Diseasel on Mar 11, 2011
  
  Brett, I totally agree with you... It's a shame that VW doesn't seem to make the ones we really want, eh? Oh, the name is pretty awful, although that seems to be Volkswagen tradition as of late (Tiguan, Touareg, Routan). At least the Jetta and Passat nameplates are still around. I looked up the specs, and according to the VW website it'll be 66 inches tall, which is Honda CR-V territory. Perhaps they'll see fit to throw 4-Motion in to compete with the small SUV segment and cash in on the AWD craze... hey, I can dream, right?
  
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