New VW Bus
 

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

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.

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

That thing is too cool for school. I likey.

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

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.

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. :cool:

lol

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

Whassat?

This thing?

http://www.machinearts.com/smbpics/inyos1.jpg

No, this one:

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

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

Me likey!
-Z

Chris, me no likey.

With snow tires, me likey long time.

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.

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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

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


KT

I liked the 2001 concept Microbus.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1231454840.jpg

ROFLMAO! I'm longing for a my very own Jeepney fully stocked with PI sweethearts (female, Seahawk, female. ;) ) all chanting "Hey sailor, I love you no sheet. Buy me a drink."

Me too. I was so PO'd when they rebadged a Chrystler mini-van. :mad:

Yep, I might have actually bought one of the 01's.

I like it. It looks better than the VW concept.

The $130k is "only" $70k if you just get the vehicle itself w/no camper or solar panel IF IF it ever gets built.

Yup, It is not clear where the motor might possibly be, the front seats don't swivel, etc.

But I hope it at least pushes VW to build a new camper on the 4wd Tour-egg platform.

Or something...

Anything!

I may be forced to buy a used Vanagon Westie...

main web site:

http://www.verdier.ca/

That video of the orange vanagon truck hitting the wall is misleading. It was going about 60 mph and, they say, had about a ton of steel in the back. Real crash tests on vanagons are very good. In a head-on between a vanagon and a Volvo wagon, the Volvo dummy dies and the vanagon dummy walks away.

A '61 VW truck on the other hand...

It would be great if some twat hadn't greened it all up :D

Maybe you need it all rusted out so it'll look at home in Michigan. ;)

Mine is buried in a 4' snow bank right now :D

The Vanagons met _passenger car_ crash standards at the time they were sold - 1980's. That was very unusual.

I used to have a '73 bus and looking thru junk yards for parts was a very, very sobering experience.

Yes, a vanagon has very stiff beams running under the floors all the way to the bumper, and in most crash tests the vanagon crushes the other car while itself not deforming very much at all.

This is not as good as having a modern crumple zone - the vanagon driver is more likely to suffer foot/leg injuries - but the vanagon driver isn't actually likely to be flattened. The driver also sits high, and much of the force goes under his seat.

I've seen pictures of vanagons that have been in frontal impacts and the driver/passenger compartment is intact.

Bottom-line, it is a reasonably safe vehicle by the standards of its time (1980s) even if modern cars are much safer.

I had a 63 VW Crewcab Pick-up. Try as I might, I never crashed head-on into a solid brick wall at any speed over 15 MPH. could never get over that hump.

Quiter.

you need to stick a 3.8L motor in the '63 Crewcab - that will get it over the hump

I love how car guys are so supportive. Kudos, gentlemen! :)

LOL!!!!

It did have a top land speed of 45 mph, so I felt safe. Man I miss that truck.

Sure you have seen this before, but couldn't resist posting in this tread. Love the VW buses.

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