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Thread: Volkswagen Microbus Concept 2001

  1. #1
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    Volkswagen Microbus Concept 2001

    Volkswagen Microbus Concept

    27 February 2001
    2001 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: MICROBUS CONCEPT

    A design study for the world of tomorrow as a homage to a great tradition

    Wolfsburg / Geneva, 27 February 2001. Volkswagen is showing the concept car "Microbus" as a European premiere at the 71st International Geneva Motor Show. The bus of the future was designed in the Volkswagen design studio in California especially for the US market. With its original design and numerous innovative ideas, the Microbus harks back to a great tradition, starting in 1950 with the first VW bus. This Volkswagen was successful worldwide and reached cult status, especially in the USA, with the name Microbus. The design study is a new definition of this cult status:A contemporary expression of personality and freedom.

    Against the backdrop of both the legendary first VW Bus generation - whose design is still, especially in the USA, known and loved today - and the form of the Beetle and the New Beetle, the design study is not a simple copy of the original bus. Our aim was to create another Volkswagen original, which was to pay homage to a great history in its own independent visionary way. The innovative Californian design team has succeeded in doing just this. This independence is demonstrated on the Microbus by the striking front end with particularly thin-line Xenon headlights, the design of the side windows and the large sliding doors. They open and close electronically at the push of a button. A dynamic appearance is guaranteed by the wide wheel arches and the specially developed 20" alloy wheels.

    High-tech interior for communicative travelling

    The Microbus offers 3 rows of seats. The middle centre seats can be turned through 180 degrees and the third row has been designed as a seat bench. All passengers have the protection of an integral seat belt. Intelligent features such as these are characteristic of many features in the interior. The Microbus can be transformed into a veritable car cinema: The appropriate visual images are provided by a 7" screen in the centre console, four monitors in the backrests of the first and second rows as well as two extendable displays between the second and third rows.

    A second 7 inch screen, located towards the front of the roof area, provides a view of what is behind the Microbus. The picture is provided by a so-called backeye camera. Along with both the exterior mirrors, this provides a comprehensive view of what is behind the vehicle.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Audi humbles Porsche. A new dawn starts today.

    Being nice since 2007.

  2. #2
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    Thankx Vaigra... but I saw on other "place" different pictures of the microbus, unfortunately in small resolutions. If this four pictures are the only ones that you could get, that’s ok. One more time, thankx for the feedback.

    best regards Karpe

  3. #3
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    No problem. These are the only 4 pictures I could find on the VW press site. Could you link me to the other small resolutions pics you found?
    Audi humbles Porsche. A new dawn starts today.

    Being nice since 2007.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vaigra
    No problem. These are the only 4 pictures I could find on the VW press site. Could you link me to the other small resolutions pics you found?
    Sure. The site (you probably know it) is this. Sorry for putting the default page, you have to "explore" the site @ the
    VW section.

    Best regards Karpe

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    Ah, ok. I'm afraid I can't find those images on the media site. If you like you can post any images I haven't posted, just as long as they're 1024px or larger.
    Audi humbles Porsche. A new dawn starts today.

    Being nice since 2007.

  6. #6
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    13 June 2002

    VOLKSWAGEN MICROBUS IS CONFIRMED FOR PRODUCTION

    Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced that the Microbus, which captured the imagination of the media and public worldwide when it was shown in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2001, is to go into production.

    The new vehicle will be built at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles factory in Hanover, Germany, leading to the creation of 1500 new jobs. Speaking at the factory, Dr Bernd Pischetsrieder, Chairman of the Board of Management Volkswagen AG said: ’With the Microbus, a legend begun here some 50 years ago when the first Volkswagen bus left the production line is now returning to Hanover.‘

    Volkswagen is targeting a new market niche with the Microbus – it is an MPV that combines practicality and flexibility with striking design, high desirability and a premium image. The concept was penned at the Volkswagen design studio in Simi Valley in California, with special consideration for the US market, and was shown at the Tokyo, Geneva and Frankfurt Motor Shows last year, as well as the Detroit Auto Show.

    The Microbus is a full-size MPV, equivalent in size to the current Caravelle and Multivan. Though reminiscent of the original rear-engined T1 Microbus, it is significantly different in both style and concept. Its wide and shallow headlamps and rear lights contrast to the original’s famous round headlights, while the front-mounted liquid-cooled engine is a world away from the T1’s air-cooled powerplant. Inside the concept vehicle are six seats arranged in three rows, with those in the middle capable of turning through 180 degrees. The distinctive fascia is both stylish and ergonomic with, for example, a dash-mounted gearlever that leaves the floor free of clutter.

    Continued Dr. Pischetsrieder: ’The Volkswagen T1 was never just a means of transport, it has always been an emotive cult object. The public’s reaction at motor shows combined with the findings of market studies already show us that the Microbus design has a spontaneous appeal, and that the vehicle will follow in the footsteps of its successful predecessor.‘

  7. #7
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    When you read the 2002 press release you would think they actually going to build it. But it never happened. Why ? Was it because Dr. Pischetsrieder left the company.

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