New VW Bus

[RWebb]

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/01/verdier-reinven.html

[equality72521]

That's actually pretty good looking. Too bad if they actually produce it they will completely change the looks.

[legion]

Looks better than the "New Bus" concept VW did a few years ago.

One problem it will not meet crash test requirements with the driver/passenger sitting in front of the front wheels.

[Jim Richards]

I like it. I like it a lot. Well, maybe not the price tag.

[speeder]

That thing is too cool for school. I likey.

[rouxroux]

I love it...sort of a "Super Westfalia"...I'd scarf one up in a heartbeat if it was 50K or less.

[jyl]

Looks slick and has all the buzzwords ("4-speed automatic turbocharged bio-diesel hybrid") but look at it hard and its a POS.

1. Err, where is the engine? Not in front, that's where driver is. Not in rear, that's where the slide-out storage it. Not in middle, that's where the living space is. I guess someone makes a 4-speed automatic turbocharged bio-diesel hybrid that is only 12 inches high?

2. The van apparently drives itself in circles. Because the "integrated Sun Tracker solar panel hooked up to a GPS and an onboard computer will position the solar array for optimum charging", but the mechanism only allows the panel to be flat or tilted toward the right side of the vehicle.

3. While he's ripping off the Westfalia VW, his version isn't nearly as clever. For one thing, there is no way to climb from the front seats to the living space, nor can the front seats be pivoted to serve as living space seating.

4. This is purely a virtual creation, as other features can't even work. For instance, there is no way for the big awnings to retract and be stored away. He wouldn't even be able to build a working model of this thing.

[Jim Richards]

Yeah, it's the devil in the details thing...still, I like the look and was thinking that a plug-in electric version with a small gas/diesel/Yoo Hoo recharge motor, fixed rooftop solar panel, no pop-top, one side awning, swivel seating, two person camping vehicle would be cool. I wonder how many cup holds it'll have.

[VincentVega]

$129,000

lol

[legion]

I'd much rather have that off-road Jeep camper thingy for that price.

[Jim Richards]

Whassat?

[VincentVega]

This thing?

[legion]

No, this one:

http://www.earthroamer.com/tab_xpedition_vehicles/xvjp1_overview.html

[Z-man]

I am Z-man, and I approve this VW Verdier concept.

Me likey!
-Z

[Jim Richards]

Chris, me no likey.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Chris, me no likey.

With snow tires, me likey long time.

[VincentVega]

I'm sure there is a lot more to it than it seems, but 100k+ for any one of these? No way.

The van seems oh so useful on all but smaller jeep trails. Highway, camping, fire road.... carry the bikes in the van, kayak on the roof and get up to Alaska for a serious couple weeks of real living.

[trekkor]

I had a '61 crew cab over twenty years ago.
I'll never own or ride in one again.

They are totally cool and fun to drive. Just way too dangerous.


KT

[trekkor]

If some serious road trips were in order, I'd rather put a big campershell on the back of my F-350.


KT

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I liked the 2001 concept Microbus.