Jonathan Browning, president and CEO of Volkswagen of America, is keen to bring the subcompact Bulli to the United States. The Bulli concept, shown in February at the Geneva Motor Show, is the spiritual successor to the Microbus. “Bulli is number one on my unfunded projects list,” Browning told Automobile Magazine yesterday, acknowledging that, despite his desire, the vehicle isn’t approved yet.
Browning believes the funky small car woulde be instrumental in keeping the youthful spirit of the brand alive. Simple lines, a blunt nose, and short overhangs recall the 1950s Type 2 (and 2001 Microbus concept) that serves as the Bulli’s inspiration, but the modern concept is a much different vehicle in dimensions and packaging. Roughly the size of a Nissan Cube, the Bulli shrinks more than 20 inches in length compared to the original Microbus and only offers seating for six on its front and rear bench seats. While the electric concept draws power from a 40-kWh battery, a production Bulli would likely be driven by small four-cylinders running on gas or diesel.
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