1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Featured Return of the VW Microbus

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by bwilson4web, Jan 9, 2017.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,066
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Source: Detroit Auto Show: Volkswagen’s I.D. BUZZ EV Concept Van | Trucks.com

    Volkswagen Group will debut an electric, autonomous all-wheel drive concept vehicle called the I.D. BUZZ at the Detroit Auto Show this week. The van highlights the automaker’s plans to bring a line of fully-electric vehicles to production by 2020, with hopes of selling 1 million electric vehicles annually by 2025.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Hummm, the BMW i3-REx warranty ends January 2019 . . .My first car was a used, 1966 VW MicroBus with a 1500 cc engine.

    Bob Wilson
     
    Montgomery, Prodigyplace and sfv41901 like this.
  2. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

    Joined:
    May 5, 2010
    4,591
    5,291
    0
    Location:
    Palmdale, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Very interesting


    iPhone ?
     
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,066
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
  4. drysider

    drysider Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    823
    332
    1
    Location:
    Liberty Lake WA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I am liking this- but not the wheels. They look like something out of the Jetsons.
     
  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,590
    11,212
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Is there more to this than CGI renderings?
     
  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The linked presentation has a concept car onstage. I think you need to go about 15 minutes into the presentation though.
     
  7. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,668
    6,481
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It would be refreshing to drive behind one of those that didn't smell like it was being used for pest control......
     
    Zythryn likes this.
  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,066
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Source: Why Volkswagen Absolutely Has To Make This Electric Microbus Now

    Volkswagen just revealed its fifth concept car based on the idea of modernizing the iconic Type II Microbus. Let that sink in a moment: it’s had four other (well, five other if you count the two-tone version of the T6) Microbus-like concepts, including one from almost exactly one year ago. This latest one, which it’s calling I.D. Buzz, I’m really, really hoping is the one that finally makes it, because I think it’s finally the right car at the right time. In fact, we’re at a point where I’m not sure Volkswagen has a choice not to build it.
    . . .

    One of the things the author, Jason Torchinsky, points out is if VW doesn't build it, Tesla might. But there is a Pacifica miniVan headed to production. The race is on.

    Bob Wilson
     
    Prodigyplace likes this.
  10. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,590
    11,212
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    I think some have already bought the Pacifica (plug in)Hybrid.
     
    inferno likes this.
  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The original VW predates minivans. I would expect this to be a minibus, not a microbus. I guess it is too small?
     
  12. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,590
    11,212
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Four to five concepts? This is more vaporware than the Ioniq.;)
     
  13. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,626
    1,623
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Chrysler Minivan aka Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan 1984

    VW Type 2 Kombi & Commercial1948, Microbus 1950
     
  14. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2013
    1,072
    405
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I put it an order for the Pacifica Plugin Hybrid.

    Here are my requirements:
    • 6+ passenger vehicle.
    • Hybrid (30mpg+)
    And that's about damn it.

    Shortlist:
    • HiHy
    • Prius Alpha
    • Then out of no where Pacifica Plugin Hybrid
    Now Wth, I drove a Pacifica and it is extremely competitive in according to features compared to the Odyssey and Sienna. And it was about the same price point.

    The only main issue (that's going to bother me until I experience it fully) is that Chrysler has not had the best track record with their engines.

    But now...where Pacifica Plugin Hybrid rates above the rest is:
    • Matches or does better in Hybrid mode compared to the HiHy (at 32mpg).
    • ~10mpg less than the Prius Alpha but that's fine, this holds more passengers and has a sliding door AND has way more space.
    • Bonus: 32 Miles EV plugin, and now bring the children around town will be MUCH cheaper utilizing our solar.

    The Pacifica Hybrid actually comes in less than a similarly equipped non-hybrid one due to the incentives and state incentives ($7,500 Fed and supposedly $2,500 state).

    And my hope is that the Atkinson cycle engine will be more reliable ESPECIALLY if electric motors are utilized more to power the car.

    Now only time will tell on the true test here...So there we have it. A Toyota and a Chrysler for us. A Prime for work and a Pacifica for family outings events and busing around the children.

    Toyota had this in our grasps and I've been pushing on these forums for over 3 years and why Toyota and Honda couldn't get their act together for a Hybrid vehicle in the US? Who knows. In fact Toyota was so close...and Honda has their Hybrid Odyssey in Japan. But ... we get less options...and there is a "supposed" movement for CrossOver now (who can argue in the #s?) I'm really hoping the Prime can prove everyone wrong, that with the right price point, right vehicle, people will buy and go against these aforementioned "trends". Perhaps Chrysler can bring the Minivan back to its glory!
     
    Trollbait and bwilson4web like this.
  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Likely there is s supposed movement for "CrossOvers" because US people cannot purchase what they really want to meet their needs. They must settle for something less.
    You too settled for something less by giving up Toyota's reliability record. I understand your decision, though.
     
  16. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,600
    8,034
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I'd guess at least 5% of that blue smoke was lead, too.
    but at least they could really take a hit, in an accident
    [​IMG]
    :confused:
    .
     
  17. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2013
    1,072
    405
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    *OUCH*

    But it is nice to be agnostic. You never know. Ioniq could indeed be the Prius-challenger. Toyota has actually had their unfortunate fair share of Sienna problems (being more of a problematic segment than the rest). Chrysler did make the Minivan competitive...etc...

    Who would've thought the Volt was actually pretty good coming from Chevy!? Then you have the outdated Nissan Leaf which was good...4 years ago and is still not bad.
     
  18. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,233
    2
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Being from the Old school crowd, this is really cool!! Both practical and efficient.
     
  19. bhtooefr

    bhtooefr Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2016
    1,396
    1,489
    0
    Location:
    Newark, OH, USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Other way around, I think - many Americans will buy something that doesn't meet their needs as well, to satisfy their wants.

    Hence crossovers dominating the market, and minivans struggling.

    Volkswagen has a terrible track record of bringing Microbus-inspired concepts to market (I mean, this is the fifth time they've showed one), but this one has the advantage of a skateboard electric platform allowing for improved packaging and aesthetics - it looks much more like a T1 Transporter than the previous concepts did, and it's got a better space to length ratio than the previous ICE-based concepts.
     
  20. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,626
    1,623
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Honda just announced their new Minivan with supposed 30MPG ratings.

    Had a friend who hit a 8 point buck, went over a guardrail and rolled 2.5 times in her Dodge minivan. 4 people, no serious injuries. Pictures of van gruesome. She bought another one.