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Volkswagen will produce an electric version of its Type 2/Microbus camper van:
Volkswagen has decided to go ahead with production of an electric version of its classic Microbus camper van as it seeks to boost its electric vehicle credentials.
The potential battery-powered revamp of the van, known as the Bulli in Germany, was first announced at the Detroit auto show in January.
"After the presentations at the global motor shows in Detroit and Geneva, we received a large number of letters and emails from customers who said, 'please build this car'," Volkswagen brand chief Herbert Diess said in a statement.
The electric van, known as the ID Buzz, will go on sale in 2022 and VW said it will target customers in North America, Europe and China. The company will also build a cargo version of the van, it added.
It will get "semi-self-driving capability".
What about the range?
At its debut, VW said the I.D. Buzz concept had a big enough battery pack to enable approximately 270 miles of range on the American EPA cycle. It'll also put a whopping 369 horsepower to the ground through its all-wheel drive system.
The original Microbus? It had 25 horsepower. My how things have changed.
Also at Auto Express.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 21 2017, @10:39PM (2 children)
There is no choice for a willing and non-coerced seller and buyer to manufacture and sell a Volkswagen Type 2 [wikipedia.org] today, not in the USA, and not in Brazil (which, according to Wikipedia, continued to build them new up through 2013!)
If I were to obtain the manufacturing equipment from Brazil and start manufacturing and sale of new Type 2 minibusses today, the US fedgov wouldn't be long in breaking into my property, kidnapping or killing me, stealing my equipment, and likely stealing the new Type 2s I made from people who willingly bought them from me - all based on the beliefs of politicians [youtube.com]. Politicians are initiating the use or threat of lethal force via their political enforcers, and that is why we can't have Type 2 25 horsepower microbusses in the USA right now.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Monday August 21 2017, @10:47PM (1 child)
Delusional paranoid bullshit.
The government would politely explain that you may sell your products, while telling your customers that they cannot operate them on public roads, nor get license plates.
Public roads are a place where certain standards are enforced, and your product is not compliant with those standards. Should you believe that your product should receive an exemption from those standards, there is a process, typically used by low-volume sports cars, to help guarantee the expectations and safety of all people involved.
(Score: -1, Redundant) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 22 2017, @06:39AM
... ultimately upon pain of death. Thank you, sir, for doing my work for me.