New Eco-Friendly VW Bus Unveiled In Geneva

new microbus

By Tray Wetherell

Editor-In-Chief

Known as a hippy icon in the world of automobiles, the Volkswagen microbus is getting a makeover and being reintroduced to the joy of baby boomers and future hippies everywhere.  With a modern twist the concept car was rolled out at the Geneva auto show this week to cheers and curious looks.  Two tone with swooped, glossy lines the new microbus or “bulli” as it’s known in Germany keeps some of the lines and looks that made the first microbus such a stand out on highways and outdoor concerts.

Being completely redone, the concept of the bulli features an electric engine that can go about 185 miles on a single battery charge and up to 87 miles per hour. The interior features the three person seat bench of the classic microbus, but its stereo entertainment, climate and other system is run on a detachable iPad interface.

The Volkswagen microbus was first released to the public in 1950, well before the counter-culture revolution.  It was a work horse and travel van for families and businesses throughout Europe and later in the United States.  When the 1960’s counter-culture began to surge, hippies everywhere began to latch on the unusual looking van for its room, durability, and its stand out looks.

Later as time went on Volkswagen released several other models of the microbus but they never came close to the nostalgia of the original bulli. While a release date has not been set in stone, some sources say the new microbus could be out sometime in 2013.

About Tray Wetherell

Born and raised in southern Illinois, Tray describes himself as a jack of all trades but a master of none. He has been an auditor, bookkeeper, fast food worker, salesman, and now journalist. Majoring in psychology, Tray is restarting his career and getting a second chance at college. "Like most people, we do what we have to do, not what we want to do. I now have the opportunity to finally get to do what I want which is to help people understand themselves. I hope to eventually be a practicing clinical psychologist or counselor."
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4 thoughts on “New Eco-Friendly VW Bus Unveiled In Geneva

    1. Hi Andy,
      That is a great question! We want one too!
      If more news on this great commuter solution becomes available, we hope to bring it to you here at The Bridge 🙂
      Thanks for leaving us your comment. Come visit us again soon please.
      -The Bridge

  1. Personally I think this flat-front is critical to the nostalgic buyers today don’t you? I saw the red/white picture of a vw bus with the front nose…..UGLY! If it doesn’t look like the “surfer dude” version then why waste the time here in the US? But this blue version pictured in your article looks very cool and I’m holding out (and hoping) this will be the version available here in a couple of years. Does anyone know more about this bus or have further insights? For instance, will this be offered in conventional gasoline engine too? Thank you, K

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