Bringing Back the ‘Microbus’

Among the most enduring symbols of the 1960’s, Volkswagen recently announced it would be bringing back a modern interpretation of the iconic Type 2 van, better known to American baby boomers as the Microbus.

The automaker says it will be unveiling a 21st Century version of the original minivan – albeit as a concept model – at January’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. If given the green-light, it could go into production as early as 2017, and be offered in an all-electric version with what some sources say will be a 250-to-310-mile range on a charge. Gas and diesel models are said to also be in the works.

No word yet on what the latter-day hippie mobile might look like, but the company hints it will be appropriately boxy and feature the original model’s abbreviated front end and thick rear roof pillar. We bet that if the new Microbus manages to evoke the original, it could enliven the minivan – at least VW’s – from “soccer mom” to full-blown hipster status.