Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
You can’t beat a bit of Bulli
Thursday 7th April 2011, 8:30AM BST.
The Bulli concept, Volkswagen's new microbus
Every year thousands of people descend on Weston Park, near Stafford, for the annual Camper Jam writes motoring editor Peter Carroll.
The weekend event demonstrates the continuing popularity of the iconic VW camper van, the original ‘lifestyle’ vehicle of the 1950s and 60s.
Likewise, the Beetle retains a huge following among enthusiasts the world over, even though its heyday was nearly half a century ago.
But which of the modern day Volkswagens can expect to enjoy such long-lasting appeal?
Hardly any, I would have thought – with the possible exception of the revamped Scirocco.
That is not to say that VW makes bad cars; on the contrary, they are excellent vehicles. It’s just that they tend to lack character.
The Beetle, Karmann Ghia and Transporter (camper van) of yesteryear are effortlessly stylish and chic in a way that today’s Polo, Touran and Caravelle cannot hope to match – even if they are hugely more reliable, safer and better to drive than their forbears.
This is why the Wolfsburg firm should consider producing the Bulli concept it revealed at Geneva earlier this month.
The concept is a chunky six-seater people carrier with a touch of Transporter about its looks. It also resembles the Microbus concept of 2001 – a vehicle which was considered too big for VW to risk selling in Europe, though it might have sold well in the US.
The Bulli has similar styling to the Microbus but is far more more compact. It is around the same length as a Polo and slightly wider than a Golf, to enable three people to sit abreast in it.
The interior is beautifully simple yet has plenty of designer appeal, and the seats even fold down to create a double bed – one of the reasons the camper van was a hit in the first place.
Most of all, it’s a car which has some emotional appeal; the sort of car we might well be celebrating at Weston Park in 2061.
That’s why VW should build the Bulli. And, with a name like that, if they can make one in old gold and black, they’re almost guaranteed a hit with Wolves fans. . .
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