The Volkswagen Microbus Concept Car (also known as the Volkswagen New Microbus and Volkswagen Microbus Concept) was a concept car recalling the original Volkswagen Microbus and first presented at the 2001 North American International Auto Show.
The new Microbus was completely modern compared to its predecessor, featuring a 7-inch screen in the center console and a second ceiling located 7-inch screen to allow allowed the driver to see behind the vehicle.
The Microbus was scheduled for production, but was canceled in early 2005. In 2005, VW instead announced that Chrysler would build minivans for Volkswagen in the United States.
The resulting Volkswagen Routan was released to the North American market in September 2008. Unrelated to the new Microbus, the Routan is a seven-seat minivan and is a rebadged variant of the Chrysler RT platform, fifth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country.
In September 2008, Autoblog reported that the Microbus Concept might actually be produced.
Volkswagen Microbus Home: Concept Car Database: Volkswagen Microbus
Volkswagen Microbus
The Microbus was designed in the Volkswagen design studio in California especially for the US market. The Microbus references an old tradition of campers and vans, starting in 1950 with the first VW bus. This Volkswagen was successful worldwide and reached cult status, especially in the USA, with the name Microbus. The design study is a new definition of this cult status: A contemporary expression of personality and freedom.
The Microbus offers 3 rows of seats. The middle centre seats can be turned through 180 degrees and the third row has been designed as a seat bench. Intelligent features such as these are characteristic of many features in the interior. The Microbus can be transformed into a veritable car cinema: The appropriate visual images are provided by a 7" screen in the centre console, four monitors in the backrests of the first and second rows as well as two extendable displays between the second and third rows.
A second 7 inch screen, located towards the front of the roof area, provides a view of what is behind the Microbus. The picture is provided by a so-called backeye camera. Along with both the exterior mirrors, this provides a comprehensive view of what is behind the vehicle.
