Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VW Caravelle, California and Transporter get Golf nosejobs, head for Frankfurt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/vw-caravelle-california-and-transporter-get-golf-nosejobs-head/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/vw-caravelle-california-and-transporter-get-golf-nosejobs-head/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/vw-caravelle-california-and-transporter-get-golf-nosejobs-head/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Volkswagen Caravelle and Transporter - click above image for high-res gallery

Some of us enthusiast types are still upset that Volkswagen never released the retro-futuristic new Bus first seen back in 2001. Looking backwards with 20-20 vision, perhaps the conceptual Bus was a little too slavish to the Type II's (a.k.a. Transporter, a.k.a. Station Wagon, a.k.a. Bus) design aesthetic and not concerned enough with its zeitgeist - affordable, practical family fun.

Meet the new VW Caravelle (passenger van), Transporter (cargo van) and California (camper van - not shown). These Golf-nosed successors to not only the Transporter, but the Vanagon and Eurovan, will be making their refreshed debuts in a few short weeks at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Beyond receiving a new shnoz, other tweaks include a range of common rail TDI engines, new rear-light clusters, more aerodynamic side mirrors, touchscreen navigation, USB connectivity, updated ESP and a hill-start assist feature. Plus, you can get either van with a manual gearbox.

While both these cars are Euro-only (Volkswagen hasn't sold a Eurovan in the U.S. since 2003), it is good to see a modern version of a Westphalia-style camper van. And you know, maybe Volkswagen should think about ditching the Routan and bringing these new vans here... especially the pop-top California? Just a thought. Either way, we'll know more come Frankfurt. High-res shots below, full press releases after the jump.


Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Caravelle and Transporter


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW Caravelle, California and Transporter get Golf nosejobs, head for Frankfurt

VW Caravelle, California and Transporter get Golf nosejobs, head for Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BusCaliforniacampercamper vanCamperVanCaravelleEurovanVanagonVolkswagenVolkswagen BusVolkswagen CaliforniaVolkswagen CaravelleVolkswagen EurovanVolkswagen TransporterVolkswagen Type IIVolkswagen VanagonVolkswagenBusVolkswagenCaliforniaVolkswagenCaravelleVolkswagenEurovanVolkswagenTransporterVolkswagenTypeIiVolkswagenVanagonvw busVw eurovanvw transportervw vanagonVwBusVwEurovanVwTransporterVwVanagonwestfaliaWestphaliaWed, 19 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VW picks five best Campervans from each generation for display]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/05/vw-picks-five-best-campervans-from-each-generation-for-display/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/05/vw-picks-five-best-campervans-from-each-generation-for-display/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/05/vw-picks-five-best-campervans-from-each-generation-for-display/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to enlarge the five VW Campervans

There are few vehicles which can approach the Volkswagen van for sheer classic presence. Today, early examples of the first-generation models are so desirable that they can fetch more money than any current van on the market. That's mighty impressive for a vehicle which sold for very low prices when new. And who could possibly forget the Campervan conversions which were available right from the factory? Apparently, Volkswagen isn't completely unaware of its illustrious rear-engined past. The automaker has selected five Campervans to take part in a special part in this year's Vanfest, which takes place this month in the U.K. The five winners represent one model from each of the five generations that VW has been selling its commercial vans. Our favorite has got to be the 1966 split-window Transporter, complete with Safari windows. Seriously, as far as Campervans go, it just doesn't get any better than that. Looking at these past designs, we wonder how Volkswagen ended up choosing a restyled Chrysler minivan for its U.S. Routan. They can make up for it, at least a little bit, by cutting its roof off for a proper camping conversion. Yeah... not likely.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW picks five best Campervans from each generation for display

VW picks five best Campervans from each generation for display originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camper vanCamperVanvolkswagenvolkswagen busvolkswagen campervolkswagen sambavolkswagen transportervolkswagen vanvolkswagen vanagonVolkswagenBusVolkswagenCamperVolkswagenSambaVolkswagenTransporterVolkswagenVanVolkswagenVanagonvw camper vanvw type 2vw type iiVwCamperVanVwType2VwTypeIiFri, 05 Sep 2008 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[The VW Westfalia reborn!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/the-vw-westfalia-reborn/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/the-vw-westfalia-reborn/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/the-vw-westfalia-reborn/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We love the VW Westfalia camper van so much that we included it in our list of Top 10 Ways To Motor Your Home. The GermanCarBlog just found a French Canadian designer who is trying to revive the Westfalia and looking for a corporate partner to help him. Alexandre Verdier designed his new Westfalia with all the charm of the original and even more functionality, if that's possible. The pop top's still there, but it rises straight up now instead of tilting and is covered in solar panels. The front passenger seat converts its seat back into stairs leading to the upper level, and when raised an awning can be pulled out from either side of the top (it even has insect netting!). Other updated features include a kitchenette that swings completely out of the van and a storage drawer in the back for a set of folding chairs. The design is ultra modern with flush surfaces, a near pillarless greenouse, and what appears to be LED lighting. Unlike the original, we assume this Westfalia's engine would be located ahead of the front axle based on the intake vents in the front fascia.

Though Verdier's Westfalia is still very much a proof of concept, he is currently looking for a company to partner with and build a running prototype.



Don't forget to check out the video of the Verdier Westfalia at the designer's site, and more pics of the concept after the jump.

[Source: Verdier.ca via GermanCarBlog]

Continue reading The VW Westfalia reborn!

The VW Westfalia reborn! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alexandre verdierAlexandreVerdiercamper vanCamperVanvanagonvwwestfaliaTue, 29 Aug 2006 20:01:00 EST