First there was the new Beetle and now there's the new Microbus. The original Microbus first took to the roads 50 years ago, becoming an icon of the 1960s "flower power" generation, writes Andrew Hamilton.
Production starts in 2005, and the new vehicle will take over from the Sharan MPV which is a joint venture with Ford's Galaxy. The shape has already been previewed at motor shows as a retro concept and the positive response encouraged VW to spend €600 million on a production facility at its Hanover plant.
VW is projecting annual production of 80,000 vehicles, of which two-thirds will be sold in North America. The US and Canada are also the main markets for the new Beetle, based on the Golf platform which is built in Mexico.
Styled at VW's Californian design centre, the Microbus is characterised by a flat nose and high waistline while the vertical rear revives styling cues from the original rear-engined camper van.
According to a VW insider, customer clinics proved that the main appeal of the Microbus was its styling. "There will be some detail changes on the production car but the basic shape will remain the same."
A wide range of petrol and diesel engines will be available , including the new 3.2 litre V6 that goes into the flagship Phaeton luxury car. There will also be a 2.5 litre five-cylinder turbodiesel that will first appear in the Touareg off-road vehicle, at the Paris motor show in September.
Buyers will be able to choose between interior layouts ranging from a basic five-seat set-up through to an eight seat cabin.
Philip Sheridan, for Volkswagen Ireland, says bringing back the Microbus is welcome news: "It greatly appealed to Irish customers in its old form and it's great to see a style classic reborn. The only pity is that we have to wait another three years but I am sure it will be well worthwhile."
The Hanover plant currently produces the VW Transporter and LY light commercial vehicles. If VW's expectations for the Microbus are met, output would be raised by over 50 per cent from the current level.
The new MPV will ride on modified underpinnings from the forthcoming fifth generation Transporter/Caravelle. The engine will be mounted transversely up front beneath the driver's feet.