Skip advert
Advertisement

VW Camper is reborn

Sensational Bulli brings classic van bang up to date, featuring electric drivetrain and seating for six.

Volkswagen has hit a retro bullseye! More than 60 years since the classic camper van debuted, the firm has unveiled the latest incarnation: the Bulli. And we had the opportunity to get to know the newcomer at a pre-show event.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69545","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

Generations of fans have known successive models as the Camper, Type 2, Microbus and Samba bus, but Bulli was the name given to the original van from 1950. It returns in a concept that borrows classic design features such as the oversized front badge, two-tone paintjob and plunging V in the bonnet. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

But this latest camper is a thoroughly modern affair. Unlike the rear-wheel-drive original, the newcomer sends drive to the front wheels via an 85kW electric motor drawing power from lithium-ion batteries mounted under the floor.

VW claims the Bulli can cover 0-62mph in 11.5 seconds and go 186 miles on a charge. Petrol and diesel units from 1.0 to 1.4 litres can also be fitted, hinting at powertrains for the forthcoming Up! 

The new car is shorter than the original and 2001’s Microbus concept, at just under four metres long. That makes it a rival to Ford’s B-MAX. It’s much wider than the old camper, though, allowing for two rows of chairs to seat six, plus a 370-litre boot. 

The camper element is also carried over: the benches can be rearranged into a flat bed, or the rear bench folded away to allow for a 1,600-litre boot. Functions including Bluetooth and sat-nav are controlled via a centrally mounted Apple iPad.

A spokesman for the brand said this was officially just a design concept, but VW is keeping a close eye on public reaction at the Geneva show. He hinted that if it was to make production it would push VW into a completely new niche  - a brave move that could prove to be lucrative for the German firm.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Volkswagen ID.EVERY1: electric city car concept’s cheeky design teased ahead of full reveal
Volkswagen ID.EVERY 1 concept sketch - front 3/4

New Volkswagen ID.EVERY1: electric city car concept’s cheeky design teased ahead of full reveal

New sketches from VW give us a further taste of what to expect from ID.EVERY 1 that previews electric city car
News
13 Feb 2025
VW makes more room for haggling on new car prices by ditching direct sales
Volkswagen ID.4 - front

VW makes more room for haggling on new car prices by ditching direct sales

Slow EV demand blamed for rethink across most group brands, but there’s no change at Cupra
News
28 Jan 2025
Car deal alert! Almost £9k off a VW ID.5 plus huge savings on brand's other electric cars
Volkswagen ID.3 - front tracking

Car deal alert! Almost £9k off a VW ID.5 plus huge savings on brand's other electric cars

In addition to the enormous deposit contributions, Volkswagen is also giving customers a free home wallbox plus 10k miles worth of free charging
News
20 Jan 2025
Volkswagen was the UK’s most popular car brand in 2024, while MG outsold Vauxhall
Volkswagen factory building

Volkswagen was the UK’s most popular car brand in 2024, while MG outsold Vauxhall

New data also reveals that Jeep’s sales figures almost tripled in 2024, however sister brand DS sold less than half as many cars as it did the previou…
News
6 Jan 2025

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month
Mazda CX-5

Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month

The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, features a driver-focused, premium interior and is our Deal of the Day for 9 February
News
9 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts