Volkswagen isn’t afraid to dream big. In fact, one of our dreams just won an award. VW is proud to announce that the Bulli, an updated version of the world’s original van and our iconic Bus, was named 2011 Concept Truck of the Year at the tenth annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards. Check out the full story for more information on the award.
The Bulli caused quite a stir earlier this year at auto shows in Geneva and New York City, and it’s easy to see why. Powered by a silent electric motor that can drive up to 186.4 miles on a single battery charge—all with zero emissions— it can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in under 11.5 seconds. That’s cool, but when you climb into the Bulli’s roomy six-seat interior and realize that the infotainment system is controlled via iPad…well, that’s very cool.
For more information, stay tuned to the Upcoming and Concept Cars Blog. And remember: the Bulli is just a concept vehicle, so for now, you’ll have to drive it in your dreams (where the skies are always blue and the lights are always green).
Tell us: what do you like best about the Bulli?
RELATED POSTS
Comeback of an Automotive free Spirit: World debut of new Bulli by Volkswagen in Geneva
The 2012 Golf R. It’s coming. Fast.
Loading ...
Why dont you make it a reality. My husband next vehicle will only be an electric Vehicle. Its time to surge past the competition and make this vehicle a reality, no more dreaming please!!
I agree, I own a VW Passat and completely love it. I work close by and only have to buy gasoline every 6 weeks, so I say it would be even more awesome if it were all electric. I say lets make it a reality and stop dreaming, make me the car of my dreams and please include a blue metallic color to the mix. I love deep blue colored cars, it is a major seller in my book. Sorry but I really love blue. Just think a blue all electric car, that never needs gasoline . . . I am in heaven. Come on VW don’t make us wait too long, we want it now!!!
Where’s the new Bug???
Convertible?
Well said! I’m ready to reserve one now. Any way to get on a purchase waiting list for this vehicle?
VW needs to start production on this!!
Adam Wong, here is what I think we were talking about.
Really would like to see this car for sale.
Oh Please VW, make me a new microbus. I’m a ’72 and spent my childhood in ’70. Had a rabbit for a while, and then fixed up a ’73 bus and used it until I had kids and felt unsafe. Traded it in for an ’02 jetta tdi wagon. Now I have 3 kids and the jetta is getting squishy. I don’t want an SUV. I really want my old van, but it just isn’t safe enough. PLEASE save me from buying a minivan! Don’t make this new Bulli a four seater. If we wanted a nostalgic 4 seater, we’d get a new beetle. Please make a 6 seater bus, and make it a tdi so I can keep running on biodiesel. Thank you.
p.s. and try to make it look as much like the old safari version as possible. love love love.
To whom it may concern at VW, I understand that auto makers are a creative group generally speaking. I understand that it must be a challenge to come up with new ideas year after year, trying to anticipate the needs/desires of the buying public. I understand that the industry itself influences production choices. What I don’t understand is the clearly evident apprehension to producing a new microbus? Recently, I bought a 68′ Transporter and I am in the process of a full resto. There are 2 reasons I mention this. First, I needed a more fuel efficient daily driver, so instead of buying a 5yr old Honda/Toyota, I bought a 43yr old Volkswagen. Why does this matter you ask? Because your 43yr old design is still preferable to anything built since, as evidenced by the thousands still on the road. Secondly, I’m not alone. I’m seeing prices on old buses, beetles, fast backs and.squarebacks, going up (I purposely didn’t mention ghia’s because they’re completely ridiculously priced atm). All of this is important because it illustrates that people like/want/will continue to buy your older designs. I loved the microbus. I liked the Vanagon. I tolerated the Eurovan. I despise the current van so much I don’t even know what it is called. I implore you to take a page from an old successful playbook, your own playbook, and BUILD A NEW MICROBUS (please!!!).
Ps. You’re already making the Bulli…… It’s called a Toureg.
doooo iiittt
I want this so bad!!!!
Build it and they will come! I’d be first in line to buy a Bulli!
I say, make it a diesel so it can have a common drivetrain with other cars here, and still be eco friendly, and awesome looking…. then continue working on the electric version… just my 2cent
I concur… Give me a TDI Diesel Bus! AWESOME!
Man, that is the ugliest vehicle I have seen in a long time. What are they thinking ? C’mon people, are we really this stupid ?
This is going to be my next car, so please, please start manufacturing. Dreams are good, reality will be SO much better!!
I would camp out to get a chance to buy DAS AUTO!
I sooooo have been dreaming about this bus for months now. Even sold my wife in the idea of owning one…. Please manufacture… Put me on a list… Ohhh if I had my way I would own a TDI model.
TDI, motor in the rear please…
I will buy this car. please create it so I don’t have to get an element or similar.
In the US, we desperately need an upscale alternative to Scion xB / Nissan Cube.
Please start producing the Bulli,it’s the vehicle both my wife and I have been waiting for. Make it no longer a :”concept car”,.
The only other thing I ask is DO NOT make it an electric car ONLY. Gasoline power can be depended on.
I would love to drive this bus. My daughter (18 months) can’t stop saying it! I own a passat and before that a cabriolet. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE the bus. But what about main round headlights like the Beetle? More reminiscent of the original bus and I believe fits more with the retro image of the bus, like the beetle. Love the iPad fucntions.
P.s. My husband wants to buy a Subaru Outback but I’m trying to hold him off. Hurry please!!
How can I be one of the first to own this vehicle? My daughter’s sweet 16 is coming Sept 2012. She would love to own this car. It is very cute!!!! I sure hope it is available before 2014. Guess that gives us more time to save up though.
I vote yes. I will buy one.
I’d rather have the micro bus concept.
Love this car!! Please make it available before 2014. Some cool ideas to consider would be sliding doors or make it dual like the Volt so it can go long trips.
I have been waiting and waiting… I was hoping for the last concept bus to come out about 7 years ago. Waited and waited… have purchased. 2 new beetle convertibles and a Passat in the meantime… waiting to get my bus. Would love to test drive it for you! Portland Or is a perfect place to do that. Waiting, waiting, waiting…
Mixed thoughts…. cool idea but cant wrap my head around the design.. looks like an ugly dog or something..
fitz1231 It seems to be too expensive. Our ’59 bug cost $1500 new – paid cash ivaelng piggy banks empty around the house. Drove it for over a hunded thousand miles – last years (long ago) were fairly dangerous with a bushel basket serving as a floor in the back seat. Little kids, stupid husband! Children and Mom survived.Sold it for $5 to a New York state dump. Those were the days my friend! May 03 2011 at 3:20 PM rate up rate down
I agree with others here. I’m soooo tired of looking at cool concepts that will never be built. From the Gobi pickup to the desert-going bug (Baja?) to the bus concept seven years ago, it’s always “psych.” Even the terrific Buggy Up! doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.
But the Bulli is so fun and practical, there’s no excuse for not building it. Give us a peppy TDI diesel (with a manual transmission) while you are putting finishing touches on the electric version. Keep the three-tone steering wheel and interior, and give it neoprene seats so it will be easy to clean.
Also, make sure it’s got a panoramic sunroof like the Mini.
And how about a camper/sleeper kit that slides into the back? Either that, or sell a matching pop up trailer. Keep the Bulli camping tradition alive!
But no matter what, build this and make it available during 2013. Anyone can draw a cool car, but only VW can build this one.
Awesome Bulli wished it oeokld more like an old micro-bus but still cool, hoping if it ever comes out it won’t look too weird and small
Anna Posted on Wish I could have gone with you guys. I always want to look back at Hunter and then I losamt fall over. Typical me LOVE these pictures of the ride.
Bring on the Bulli! Please?
Please, please make this car!!! Have it priced under $30K USD and you will see lines waiting at the dealer the day they hit showroom floors.
Two of the biggest mistakes VW has made this decade (speaking as a 7 time VW owner) are not bringing the VW Polo into the US market. I drove this 4 door subcompacket all over England last fall and it handled great, lots of power when we needed it plus had a hatchback and even got 40 MPG!
The second was not using VW’s long history with economic Vans (I had a 78) to really compete in the family van market. I don’t want a vehicle with 2 engines (gas and electric) more problems, more waste …..batteries…and the cost of maintaining 2 engines!
When will VW ever get it right and produce a retro mini van/camper? The Bulli looks great but it’s about the size of a Golf.
Come on, bros…. BULLI! Where is it?
Just too small. The 2001 concept is perfect. This vehicle has to be at least, the size of the Transit Connect or Fiat Doblo. The Connect is already here and the Doblo will be coming shortly. These are the vehicles I will be looking at to convert into a camper. The Bulli is simply a second generation XB clone. It’s a bus in name only. How can VW offer awesome vans overseas and then have the chitzpah to offer a Chrysler clone as a van overhere in the States. The American consumer is not a moron. The routan is to Vw what this “BULLI” is to a microbus: A SHAM !!!!
This is the ugliest car I have ever seen. Why on earth can’t you make another camper? We LOVED our Westfalia camper and drove it until it died. There is NOTHING in the US market that begins to compare with it. We are about to retire and I am drooling over the ironically-named CALIFORNIA which is only available in the UK! We loved having a camper that was reasonably-priced, got decent mileage, and was fun to drive. PLEASE adapt the California for the US market. The demand is huge!
I want one now. I vote yes and I am sharing this page with everyone I know.