Stuff that sparks ideas or imagination for me.

Dear VW: This is not a fucking microbus

How many times to I need to repeat it, before you dudes figure it out? I want a hybrid fucking Microbus. This new van (Routan? WTF) is ugly as hell. Nevertheless, it’s actually in production and will be coming out, although it’s butt ugly.

VW Routan

Build a damn BUS. A hybrid friggin’ BUS. Build THIS:

VW Bus

As a hybrid. It’s really not that friggin’ hard to figure out.

I know I got excited about this spaceUp!Blue thing – and it wasn’t that terrible looking. I was mainly excited about anything resembling a microbus idea at all, plus it’s supposed to be a hybrid. But they’re not going to make it in the US.

vw_spaceup-blue

Actually, the closest they came to doing it right was the concept Bus that they came out with a few years ago (around 2003 or so)

vw_microbus_concept2

They scotched it due to “lack of interest.” I doubt that highly – I think it was a lack of interest in square friggin’ headlights. And a potential gas guzzler. Put some round headlights on there, and make it a HYBRID, and people will buy it.

ERRR. It’s not rocket surgery, people.

Continue ReadingDear VW: This is not a fucking microbus

spaceup! blue Volkswagen Bus

Volkswagen of America unveils a new concept cart – a “green” fuel-cell microbus-like vehicle called “spaceup! blue.”

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

space up! blue VW bus

First – they had me at “hybrid microbus.” Seriously, that’s all it takes. Please make one. Please. I will give you my first-born. If you love me, go to the VW website contact page and tell them to make one for me.

Second – it does need round headlights, but I can live without them, as long as I have one. And I hope they have cooler colors. Not that I wouldn’t paint it with swirly hippie flowers anyway. But a nice yellow base would be a better canvas, and the white interior is a no-go.

From USA Today:

Volkswagen space up! blue: Imagine it without the emblems, and you think you’re looking at the old Scion xB “box.”

But you’re not. Volkswagen introduced a fuel-cell concept vehicle called the spaceup! blue — yes, that’s lower case with an exclamation mark in the middle.

It’s meant to be reminscent of a VW microbus, with lots of space inside.

The four-seat space up — who named this thing? — has what is billed as the world’s first high-temperature fuel cell coupled with 12 lithium-ion batteries. Having the cell work at higher temperatures allows it to be more efficient and compact, VW says. Besides the fuel cell, its batteries can be charged from a wall socket.

But wait! There’s more!

One of the best solar installation companies, EcoGen America announced that the space up also has a solar panel on the roof that can supply a bit more energy to the battery.
Space up can be driven up to 65 miles on the electric motor alone. The fuel cell is good for another 155 miles for a combined range between the two power sources of 220, VW says.

The “green” theme carries through to the interior, which makes extensive use of recycled materials.

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Solar-Diesel Hybrid VW Microbus – concept car

I ran across a video on the Verdier Bus on YouTube, and had to google to find out more about what it is. Turns out it’s a concept car – a design firm put it together and it won a Special Prize from the Jury at the Caravaning Design Award 2006/2007.

Verdier Microbus Concept Car

Verdier Microbus Concept Car

Verdier Microbus Concept Car

Verdier Microbus Concept Car

The Website for the Verdier, and an article about it.

This really tripped my trigger – I was really excited about the Microbus back when VW was proposing a new concept to be released in 2007. Then VW killed off that idea. This idea, though – solar powered, tons of cool features – it’s almost the perfect vehicle. You can also check solar denver from here!  Too bad it would cost $69,000. Maybe if I won the lottery!

Also – check out this cool video of Vintage Microbus interiors!

Continue ReadingSolar-Diesel Hybrid VW Microbus – concept car