VW Bulli Concept Pays Homage To Original Samba Bus

This is the Volkswagen Bulli, a concept vehicle currently being shown by VW at the Geneva Motor Show:

It is designed to be a spiritual successor to the original Samba bus – albeit a rather shorter one, at just under 4m in length. The concept is an electric vehicle with an impressive quoted range of 300km, making it rather more feasible as an everyday, sole household vehicle than most other electric vehicles.

It has generated a predictable amount of press coverage suggesting that it is a future classic campervan – but is this really feasible? The interior loadspace is 1.8m long – very similar to a Mazda Bongo – so it does offer the potential for compact camper conversions. VW also says that the vehicle could easily be powered by one of its petrol or diesel engines instead of an electric motor, too, removing range problems for touring use.

Although many concept vehicles never make it into reality – and indeed the Bulli is an updated version of VW’s Microbus concept from 10 years ago – a vehicle like this probably would prove popular with MPV owners seeking something more fun and would most likely generate a small but enthusiastic following of camper owners. Were VW to produce a long wheelbase version, too, it might have real potential as a campervan.

Here are a few more shots to whet your appetite:

Update: It seems that the VW Bulli/Microbus or something very like it is going to see the light of day – see this AutoCar story for more details.