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Exterior Design
The new edition of the Bulli is 156 inches
long, 68.4 inches wide and 66 inches tall. The T1 was somewhat longer and
taller, but narrower. With a wheelbase of 102 inches, the Bulli utilizes the
overall length very well. Also striking here are the Bulli's relatively large
track widths (54 inches front and rear) in relation to body width.
Like
the Samba bus before it, the Bulli being presented in Geneva also has two-tone
paint - in this case white and red. The "V" on the bonnet, is kept white. The
bonnet does house the engine: instead of rear-wheel drive with a boxer engine,
as on the Samba, the Bulli has an electric motor located forward of the front
axle and front-wheel drive. Here, it is a compact integral drive whose primary
components are an E-motor, high-voltage pulse inverter and DC/DC converter for
the 12-Volt electrical system.
In keeping with the Volkswagen design DNA,
there is a horizontal layout of the narrow dual headlights with L-shaped LED
daytime running lights and turn indicators implemented as LEDs arranged in an
inverted L shape at each outer corner. Incidentally, LEDs not only exhibit
tremendous luminous power and long life; due to their low energy consumption,
they are ideal for the electrically powered Bulli of 2011. Located between the
headlights in the bonnet is, as always, the VW logo. On the level beneath, one
finds - once again arranged in a horizontal line - the air intakes for the
passenger compartment and for battery cooling or for cooling the alternative
conventional drives.
Finally, the bumper that is seamlessly integrated in
the front end completes the design. Laterally, it exhibits a large round fog
light on each side, another air intake in the middle, and a front spoiler in
black below. This line matches the lines of the side sills.
The Bulli's
two-tone paint also distinguishes the sides. Treated in white is the entire area
above what is known as the character line. Originating in the wings is a white
stripe that runs to the distinctive D-pillars; above them, the entire roof
section is painted in this color. The continuous line of windows creates an
especially striking contrast between the white sections. Here, the visually
slender black pillars executed in the style of the 2001 Microbus concept are
visually striking. Painted in red are the door mirror housings protruding from
the line of windows.
The 18-inch alloy wheels are especially attractive.
At their centers are stylized chrome hubcaps - another tribute to the bus of
years past. Shorter than ever are the overhangs at the front and rear.
The Volkswagen design DNA with its horizontal lines also dominates the rear of
the new Bulli. Viewed from the bottom upwards, above the body-colored bumper
(including black, stylized diffuser), there is the tailgate that extends across
the entire width of the vehicle. In the tailgate, the narrow LED rear lights
continue a theme from the Microbus concept of 2001. At the center, but smaller
than at the front end: the VW symbol. When all six seating locations are fully
occupied, there is a 370-liter bootspace behind the tailgate.
Interior
Space
Like the body design, the interior is also marked by a level of
clarity whose consistent application can only be found at Volkswagen. The
passenger compartment - immersed in light during the day thanks to its panoramic
sunroof - also harbors some surprises.
A practical highlight: like the T1
in times past, thanks to its level floor, the new Bulli is also equipped with a
single bench seat in front. The van offers space for three in the rear as well.
An infotainment highlight: a removable iPad in the center console serves as
a multifunctional touchscreen. Along with Internet-based iPad applications and
the media center, it also handles control of such functions as Bluetooth
hands-free telephone and a navigation system. Integrated right on the iPad mount
are controls for the climate control system and the centrally-located hazard
warning switch.
All cockpit details are clearly organized and designed to
be intuitive. Running laterally across the entire width is a line with air
vents. In front of the driver, there is a speedometer in the shape of a
semicircle. A color multifunction display, also semi-circular in shape, can be
used to view and control (via multifunctional keys in the steering wheel and on
it) the navigation system, telephone, trip computer and media center - the
entire unit of speedometer and multifunction display also communicates with the
iPad. The key word here is sound: a system produced by legendary guitar and
amplifier manufacturer Fender (USA) ensures that the music sounds as though it
were being performed live. At Woodstock in 1969, Jimi Hendrix played "The
Star-Spangled Banner" on a Fender Stratocaster guitar.
What is not found
in the Bulli is a tachometer (unnecessary with an electric motor) or a
conventional gear shift or gear selection lever (also unnecessary with an
electric motor). The latter is replaced by a rotary switch to the right of the
driver, which is used to activate forward and reverse gears. A push button in
the same switch is used to start and stop the motor. Another rotary switch to
the left of the driver is used to control the lighting functions.
Seats Become Reclining Surface in an Instant
The outer and middle
seat positions of the front bench seat can be folded down (2/3 split); the rear
beach seat, meanwhile, can be completely stowed. When the rear bench seat is
stowed, cargo capacity increases to 1,600 liters. In addition - and here the new
Bulli is reminiscent of its legendary ancestor - the seat system can be
transformed into a large reclining surface with just a few manual movements.
This turns the compact MPV into a compact camper - the ultimate companion for a
weekend trip.
At least as important for many users, however, is that the
seating system should not only be versatile but also offer maximum comfort. The
seat position is comfortably high and is equally relaxing. As an added benefit,
it offers an optimized view forward as well. And that is how it was in the T1
too. Contributing to peace of mind aboard today's vehicle is the fact that the
new era Bulli is equipped with all conceivable safety features. And that is the
crucial difference: the car has essentially been reinvented since the days of
the first T1 aka the Bulli aka the Microbus.
Bulli's History
Without the Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon, the T1 might not have
existed, and of course neither would the Bulli concept vehicle at Geneva. That
is because Pon was the person who on April 23, 1947, sketched a picture of a
compact bus in his notebook. Actually, the Dutchman's drawing was a simple side
view of a radically shortened public omnibus placed over the wheelbase of a
Beetle with an "m" for "motor" written on it. That was it. The world's first van
was born. Great ideas usually just take a few strokes of the pen, but then they
require a dedicated effort to implement them. Volkswagen designers took this
sketch and created the bus that became an automotive icon with the
characteristic "V" in front.
The Bulli concept vehicle now follows in the
footsteps of the original bus and demonstrates the concept of maximum space
utilization with the characteristic "V" with VW logo at the front end and the
cleanest of proportions. In the process, the concept vehicle's design follows
the maxims of the new Volkswagen "design DNA." Retro? Hardly. It is a
Volkswagen! The team led by Walter de Silva, Head of Volkswagen Group Design,
and Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design of the Volkswagen brand, developed the
"design DNA" for the modern era based on styling principles of the bestselling
Beetle, Golf I and T1.
Volkswagen Bulli Concept: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications
