The electric VW van you have always wanted

Monday, 23 March 2020

Call it a Microbus, Type 2, Kombi or hippy van, Volkswagen's people mover of the 1960s has the sort of style that just doesn't go out of fashion. In a bid to keep the mechanicals similarly future-proof, Volkswagen has created a rather tasty blend of old-school styling and new-school technology in this, the e-Bulli.

It was originally set to debut at Techno Classica this year but, in light of coronavirus restrictions on large gatherings, the event has been postponed and Volkswagen debuted the concept online.

The e-Bulli (named after the original official designation for the Microbus) is based on a Samba Bus built in 1966.

Looks like any old 1960s Kombi, right? Close. This is the e-Bulli, a fully electric hippy van created by eClassics.

The Samba had its 32kW four-cylinder boxer removed and replaced with an electric motor offering nearly double the output at 61kW. Torque is similarly increased, up to 212Nm from 102Nm. The motor is attached to the rear axle while the 45kWh battery offers more than 200km of total range.

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Thankfully, only the powertrain has had a real change. The interior has been slightly updated but, as evidenced by a lack of headrests and proper seatbelts, still stays true to the original.

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Just by looking, you wouldn't know this Bus had a heart transplant. Until it set off without cranking the engine a dozen times, of course.

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Thankfully, engineers at the eClassics conversion company, which was responsible for the e-Bulli, gave the converted Kombi some love in the chassis department too.

New multi-link front and rear axles with adjustable shock absorbers and coilover struts should smooth out rough tarmac while a rack-and-pinion steering system has been added as well. Four ventilated disc brakes ensure the e-Bulli actually stops.

Additionally, eClassics switched the transmission for a single-speed unit. The gear lever was moved between the driver and passenger seat and has a new 'B' mode, alongside the standard P, R, N and D selections. 'B' allows the driver to adjust the amount of energy recovery, which gives the feel of engine braking.

Staying inside for a moment, the redesigned interior features plenty of LEDs dotted around the cabin, along with a small digital screen embedded in the analogue speedometer which displays information like range. A tablet integrated into the roof console shows 'a multitude' of further information.

The designers 'modernised the exterior of the iconic vehicle with great sensitivity and finesse, including giving it a two-tone paintwork finish in 'Energetic Orange Metallic' and 'Golden Sand Metallic'.' There are new LED headlamps with daytime running lights.

On the outside at the rear there are LED charge indicators. They signal to a driver walking up to the e-Bulli how much charge the lithium-ion battery still has before they reach the vehicle.

Sound like a bit of you? eClassics is offering the T1 conversion (for Buses built between 1950 and 1967), complete with the reworked suspension system, at prices starting at 64,900 euro (NZ$122,627). T2 and T3 conversions are also being offered but no price was given.

Volkswagen Group Components first teamed up with eClassics, a German company the specialises in electric car conversions of various different brands, in 2019 when the e-Beetle was unveiled at the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt, which it also offers as a conversion kit.