[ZamboniMan]

Looks like VW wants in the game too. This thing is almost fugly enough to make me want one!


https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2017/08/19/volkswagen-microbus-id-buzz/583225001/

 

[2VoltFamily]

That is just one picture of the possible look. There are other articles with different images as well. They all have a similar back to the 60s look. When we were looking at it the projection dates were 2018. Seems to be a teaser right now. But would love to have one depending on the final production model.

 

[dannycamps]

I can't wait to get Scoob and the gang and go solve mysteries in this thing.

 

[ZamboniMan]

I can't wait to get Scoob and the gang and go solve mysteries in this thing.

Ruh Roh! Where are those Scooby snacks???

 

[ZamboniMan]

 

[Mister Dave]

I wonder if they plan to start producing white rubber again for those tires. Else the look will be way off. Of course, without carbon black the tires won't be as durable.

 

[Upper5Percent]

I wonder if they plan to start producing white rubber again for those tires. Else the look will be way off. Of course, without carbon black the tires won't be as durable.

 

[Aus1]

Don't believe VW, they are the masters of Vapourware and publicity of prototypes. The only reason the have electrics in mind now is because thy are being dragged kicking and screaming by countries / cities and business that wish to go EV. VW might need to pull out of the closet some of it's past millions spent on R&D with ev's locked in cupboards since the start of 70's.
They best actually start working on something REAL after they have shafted diesel world wide and now CNG where tanks blow up due to faulty manufacture. There isn't a single conventional technology VW has not manged to stuff up and EV's are next. Don't wait (Just buy something else from a more responsible brand you can trust.) ;-)

 

[El Dobro]

VW, the only EV that can be mis-fueled.

 

[Coppersnowboarder]

The styling is ugly, but the real error is reliance on electricity. I have taken two 4,000-mile summer vacations through the West, almost entirely on gasoline for the Volt "range extender." There is no realistic access to electricity in remote areas of the United States. Nice commuter vehicle. That is all. Volkswagen is supposed to be paying for more electric charging stations in the I-70 corridor from the dirty diesel settlement. http://www.summitdaily.com/news/col...ement-to-buy-i-70-electric-charging-stations/

 

[rmay635703]

While VW is teasing I can buy a variety of real plug ins today

 

[edk-austin]

It's going to take 5 yrs to ship this!? So, really, they haven't even started yet. The concept was just that, vaporware. VW has fallen to the credibility of those that promise "we'll have flying cars in 5 years".

 

[jcanoe]

VW Porsche Audi group is probably constrained because it currently lacks the in-house production capability to produce lithium ion batteries. Sure, VW can source the batteries on the open market but at what cost? Mercedes and BMW are similarly constrained. Germany has access to coal, oil and natural gas and has developed an automotive industry heavily invested in advanced engineering and development of internal combustion engine technologies. It will be costly and time consuming for these companies to shift their R&D efforts to alternative fuel vehicles including EVs.

 

[BAZINGA]

If this was a real choice I'd consider it, but sadly it's not. Much like GM's CUV EV. I had to buy $80K of GM vehicles to get the utility I need where ONE vehicle would suffice. I long for a GMC Acadia sized BEV? I'd gladly pay $50K to $60K for that vehicle as I could live with just vehicle.

So maybe by the VW has one in the showroom for sale GM will have an CUV sized vehicle - and the BOLT isn't big enough for my families needs.

 

[indyflick]

The styling is ugly, but the real error is reliance on electricity. I have taken two 4,000-mile summer vacations through the West, almost entirely on gasoline for the Volt "range extender." There is no realistic access to electricity in remote areas of the United States. Nice commuter vehicle. That is all. Volkswagen is supposed to be paying for more electric charging stations in the I-70 corridor from the dirty diesel settlement. http://www.summitdaily.com/news/col...ement-to-buy-i-70-electric-charging-stations/

In an article I read, VW are claiming a 270 mile range for the van. That's more than a commuter car in my mind. But I get your point, it won't be useful for very long road trips.

By the way, we went on a 2400 mile road trip recently and decided to rent a car rather than putting the mileage on our Volt. We rented a Corolla (unlimited miles) from Hertz for $160 for the week. We have a Hertz location 3 miles from us, so it's really convenient. We prepaid with Visa to also get the free full coverage insurance. Hertz gave us a 2017 with low miles and we averaged just over 36 mpg.

 

[Mister Dave]

So, really, they haven't even started yet.

Yes really, they haven't even started yet.

VW has fallen to the credibility of those that promise "we'll have flying cars in 5 years".

Remember now, Europe is banning ICE cars. Is your bullsh*t detector still flashing?

 

[Jeff N]

The styling is ugly, but the real error is reliance on electricity. I have taken two 4,000-mile summer vacations through the West, almost entirely on gasoline for the Volt "range extender." There is no realistic access to electricity in remote areas of the United States. Nice commuter vehicle. That is all. Volkswagen is supposed to be paying for more electric charging stations in the I-70 corridor from the dirty diesel settlement. http://www.summitdaily.com/news/col...ement-to-buy-i-70-electric-charging-stations/

That money is part of a $2.7 billion environmental trust fund being managed by the states. Up to 15% of each state's money can be used for EV charging and Colorado doing that. In addition to and separate from that, VW is allocating $2 billion under the same legal settlement for a nationwide zero emission infrastructure program managed by VW. The first 2.5 year plan of the 10-year program calls for spending $255 million on EV charging including 200-300 highway charging plazas with between 4-10 charging spaces each that support at least "150 kW" charging. The Bolt EV can charge at up to around 55 kW on these future stations. Future 2.5 year plans will continue to expand the network over multiple coast-to-coast routes and into less commonly traveled highways. It will basically be a clone of Tesla's Supercharger setup and will be installed at the same pace and scale as Tesla but beginning 5 years later.

http://www.hybridcars.com/vw-reveals-nationwide-ev-charging-plans/

 

[Barry]

I think it is a neat looking van. There are not any other BEV vans that I have seen discussed, and 60's retro styles are popular in other segments of the market (Doge Challenger, etc.). I suspect a lot more people would want an SUV, but it is probably easier to get range in a van style with smaller tires and less ground clearance.

 

[mikeg3]

VW is working on a car that pretends it's electric when under test.

 

[Steverino]

VW is working on a car that pretends it's electric when under test.

haha, +1. I see what you did there, Mike.