First unveiled at the Geneva show, VW's Bulli is yet another take on reinventing the classic VW Bus - which in Europe was called the Bulli back when it was on sale from 1950 to 1979 (the original bus is still produced in Brazil but departed European and North American showrooms long ago).

Some will recall that back in 2001, Volkswagen debuted a stunning concept called the Microbus which was essentially a retro-modern version of the old Van, only set up along the lines of a modern minivan. The press and the public loved it and clamored for it - and it was originally slated to be built on VW's T5 commercial van platform.

That didn't happen, and by 2005, VW had canceled the modern Microbus in favor of a deal with Chrysler whereby Chrysler provided what would eventually become the VW Routan - a lightly disguised Chrysler Town & Country for USA consumption only that met with a cool reception in the market.

In other global markets, VW still sells other vans that it developed on its own, including the Golf-derived Touran (a large high-roofed golf wagon similar to a small Minivan like the Mazda5) and the California (a bigger van in the Mercedes Sprinter/Ford Transit mode).

Ten years later, it looks like VW will try the bus revival again. The Bulli is more angular than the 2001 Microbus and smaller too - although a minivan by nature, it is a small vehicle overall, about the same footprint as the second-generation New Beetle that was next to it on the stand in New York. The wheels are pushed out just about as far as they will go, so the Bulli looks larger than its 156-inch overall length. Height and Width, both ample, also help to create the illusion of size. It can seat six, and in a nod to practicality, some of the rounded edges of the 2001 concept have become more angular to create more interior room and easier-to-produce panels. Though a retro car at heart, the Bulli is less obvious about it than the Microbus was, and a more original vehicle overall.

One lesson learned from the Routan relates to the rear seats, which can be folded down to create a flat load floor like the Chrysler minivans, meaning a cavernous cargo area when it is needed.
VW says it is serious about production, even go so far as to divulge engine choices and performance. Gasoline-powered Bullis can come with a 1 or 1.4 liter four-cylinder engine, while a full-electric will be available (if production happens this time) with an 85-Kw engine with an 87 mph top speed and a projected range of about 180 miles.

VW promised the Microbus ten years ago and then again hinted that an in-house Minivan might appear on the forthcoming Up! platform (unlikely to be seen in the USA). We'll see if the third time is the charm.

Photographer: Alex Kwanten