Volkswagen Bulli Concept
Home >
News >
Volkswagen
1st March, 2011
The Volkswagen bus, like only a few other cars, stands for the
spirit of freedom. It debuted over 60 years ago in 1950 with a contagiously simple design. Its internal
Volkswagen code name was T1 for Transporter one (T1). The Germans called it the Bulli, and to Americans it was
the Microbus. It was driven on all continents. The popular van is still appreciated by a 'fan' base which spans
the globe. Now Volkswagen is reinterpreting the compact original form of this automotive legend and sending it
into the future – in the form of an electric powered concept vehicle for a new generation Bulli! It is spacious
like it was in 1950, it is as inspirational as ever, and it has clean styling like never before.
In this vehicle, Volkswagen is continuing what it started in 2001: ten years ago, the vision of a new Bulli
led to an unforgettable concept vehicle known as the Microbus. But some visions need to mature before they
yield something new. Now, the time is right for this vision. That is because the concept was sharpened, and the
necessary, sustainable technologies are now at hand. More compact and affordable than the earlier concept
vehicle, it is now being shown at Switzerland's Geneva Motor Show (3rd-13th March 2011). The new VW Bulli –
powered by an electric motor and fitted with six seats and infotainment control via iPad.
This concept vehicle has the potential to establish a new, fifth brand of people carrier next to the Caddy,
Touran, Sharan and its large counterpart – the Caravelle. The Bulli could even become an icon like the T1
Samba that still trades at extremely high prices today – one of those few vehicles that simply do not fade
with time.
Zero emissions – up to 300 km on a single battery charge
Thanks to highly advanced drive technologies, the Bulli being shown in Geneva is what is referred to as a
‘zero emissions vehicle,’ because the concept is electrically powered. Zero emissions at the tailpipe. The
Bulli’s electric motor outputs 85 kW of power and 270 Newton metres of torque. As is usual with this type of
drive, its maximum forces are generated from standstill. The silent motor is supplied with energy from a
lithium-ion battery with a maximum storage capacity of 40 kWh. This electrifying combination enables driving
ranges of up to 300 km – a big distance for an electric car. When the Bulli’s battery is charged at an
"electric refuelling station" specially designed for electric vehicles, the charging process takes less than
one hour.
The new Volkswagen Bulli accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds, and its top speed is 140 km/h
(electronically limited). Its range and driving performance not only make the compact vehicle ideal for short
distances; but also ideal for many commuters and recreational activities.
Naturally, the concept can also incorporate Volkswagen’s extremely efficient petrol and diesel direct
injection engines as alternative drives. Engines with 1.0 or 1.4 litre displacement that are fuel efficient
yet strong; this is iintense 'downsizing' (the new buzz word for reducing emissions). Ideal for anyone who
wants to cover maximum distances with minimal fuel consumption.
Bulli – the idea goes back 64 years
Without the Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon, the T1 might not have existed, and, of course, neither
would the Bulli concept vehicle at Geneva. That is because Pon was the person who on 23rd April, 1947,
sketched a picture of a compact bus in his notebook. Actually, the Dutchman’s drawing was a simple side view
of a radically shortened public omnibus placed over the wheelbase of a Beetle with an "m" for "motor"
written on it. That was it. Great ideas occasionally take just a few strokes of the pen, but then they
require a dedicated effort to implement them. Volkswagen designers took this sketch and made the bus that
became an automotive icon with the characteristic "V" in front.
The Volkswagen Bulli concept vehicle now follows in the 'tracks' of the original bus and demonstrates the
concept of maximum space utilisation with the characteristic "V" with VW logo at the front end and the
cleanest of proportions. In the process, the concept vehicle’s design follows the maxims of the new
Volkswagen "design DNA." Retro? Hardly. It is a Volkswagen! The team led by Walter de Silva, Head of
Volkswagen Group Design, and Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design of the Volkswagen brand, developed the "design
DNA" for the modern era based on styling principles of the best selling Beetle, Golf I and T1.
Design – visual world of a masterpiece
The new edition of the VW Bulli is 3.99 metres long, 1.75 metres wide and 1.70 metres tall. The T1 was
somewhat longer and taller, but narrower. With a wheelbase of 2.62 metres, the Bulli utilises the overall
length very well. Also striking here are the Bulli’s relatively large track widths (1.50 m front and rear)
in relation to body width.
Front end: Like the Samba bus before it, the Bulli being presented in Geneva also has two-tone paint –
in this case white and red. The "V" on the bonnet, is kept white. The bonnet does house the engine: instead
of rear-wheel drive with a boxer engine, as on the Samba, the Bulli has an electric motor located forward
of the front axle and front-wheel drive. Here it is, a compact integral drive whose primary components are
an E-motor, high-voltage pulse inverter and DC/DC converter for the 12-Volt electrical system.
In keeping with the Volkswagen design DNA, there is a horizontal lay out of the narrow dual headlights
with L-shaped LED daytime running lights and turn indicators implemented as LEDs arranged in an inverted L
shape at each outer corner. Incidentally, LEDs not only exhibit tremendous luminous power and long life;
due to their low energy consumption they are ideal for the electrically powered Bulli of 2011. Located
between the headlights in the bonnet is, as always, the VW logo. On the level beneath, one finds – once
again arranged in a horizontal line – the air intakes for the passenger compartment and for battery
cooling or for cooling the alternative conventional drives.
Finally, the bumper that is seamlessly integrated in the front end completes the design. Laterally, it
exhibits a large round fog light on each side, another air intake in the middle, and a front spoiler in
black below. This line matches the lines of the side sills.
Side profile: The Bulli’s two-tone paint also distinguishes the sides. Treated in white is the entire
area above what is known as the character line. Originating in the guards is a white stripe that runs to
the distinctive D-pillars; above them, the entire roof section is painted in this colour. The continuous
line of windows provides an especially striking contrast between the white sections. Here the visually
slender black pillars executed in the style of the 2001 Microbus concept are visually striking. Painted in
red are the door mirror housings protruding from the line of windows.
Beneath the character line is the red body area. Design elements such as the distinctive wheel housings,
the additional shape modulation in the door surfaces above the side sills and the headlights that wrap
around to the sides with minimal seams are details that would not have been possible to manufacture in
this form and precision on a T1. Concealed in the sandwiched floor behind the sills is the 1,450 kg
Bulli’s lithium-ion battery. The white door handles are practical, opening in the direction of pull. The
18-inch alloy wheels are especially attractive. At their centres are stylised chrome hubcaps – another
tribute to the bus of years past. Shorter than ever are the overhangs at the front and rear.
Rear section: The Volkswagen design DNA with its horizontal lines also dominates the rear of the new
Bulli. Viewed from the bottom upwards, above the body-coloured bumper (including black, stylised diffuser)
there is the tailgate that extends across the entire width of the vehicle. In the tailgate, the narrow LED
rear lights continue a theme from the Microbus concept of 2001. At the centre, but smaller than at the
front end: the VW symbol. When all six seating locations are fully occupied, there is a 370 litre boot
space behind the tailgate.
Interior space – melding of car and iPad
Like the body design, the interior is also marked by a level of clarity whose consistent application
can often be found at Volkswagen. The passenger compartment – immersed in light during the day thanks to
its panoramic sunroof – also harbours some surprises.
|
|
|
Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
..... more
|
|
|
A practical highlight: like the T1 in times past, thanks to its level floor the new Bulli is also
equipped with a single bench seat in front. The van offers space for three in the rear as well.
An infotainment highlight: a removable iPad in the centre console serves as a multifunctional
touchscreen. Along with Internet-based iPad applications and the media centre, it also handles control
of such functions as Bluetooth hands-free telephone and a navigation system. Integrated right on the
iPad mount are controls for the climate control system and the centrally located hazard warning
switch.
Typical Volkswagen: all cockpit details are organised and designed to be intuitive. Running
laterally across the entire width is a line with air vents. In front of the driver, there is a
speedometer in the shape of a semi-circle. A colour multifunction display, also semi-circular in
shape, can be used to view and control (via multifunctional keys in the steering wheel and on it) the
navigation system, telephone, trip computer and media centre – the entire unit of speedometer and
multi-function display also communicates with the iPad. The key word here is sound: a system produced
by legendary guitar and amplifier manufacturer Fender (USA) ensures that the music sounds as though
it were being performed live.
What is not found in the Bulli is a tachometer (unnecessary with an electric motor) or a
conventional gear shift or gear selection lever (also unnecessary with an electric motor). The latter
is replaced by a rotary switch to the right of the driver, which is used to activate forward and
reverse gears. A push button in the same switch is used to start and stop the motor. Another rotary
switch to the left of the driver is used to control the lighting functions.
Seats become reclining surface in an instant
The outer and middle seat positions of the front bench seat can be folded down (2/3 split); the
rear beach seat, meanwhile, can be completely stowed. When the rear bench seat is stowed, cargo
capacity increases to 1,600 litres. In addition – and here the new Bulli is reminiscent of its
legendary ancestor – the seat system can be transformed into a large reclining surface with just a
few manual movements. This turns the compact MPV into a compact camper – the great companion for
a weekend trip.
At least as important for many users, however, is that the seating system should not only be
versatile but also offer maximum comfort. The seat position is comfortably high and is equally
relaxing. As an added benefit, it offers an optimised view forward as well. And that is how it
was in the T1 too. Contributing to peace of mind aboard today’s vehicle is the fact that the new
era Bulli is equipped with all conceivable safety features. And that is the crucial difference: the
car has essentially been reinvented since the days of the first T1 aka the Bulli aka the
Microbus.
| 
