In a surprising move, German sports car maker Porsche has just taken over the largest European car manufacturer, Volkswagen. After purchasing more than 50 percent of VWs shares, Porsche is now in the drivers seat of a massive conglomeration controlled by its shareholders and unions. This isnt the first time that Porsche has attempted to overtake Volkswagen. 1,350 per share. With such growth, VW claimed in August to have overtaken Ford to become the third largest automaker in the world, behind GM and Toyota. Reports claim that Porsche intends to increase its stake to 75 percent this year, gaining complete control of the auto group. At dealers such as Volkswagen Saint Louis, the relationship between VW and Porsche has already been apparent. Vehicles such as the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne already share many components with each other. VW and Porsche have much to benefit from each other strategically observes Mercedes Benz Pittsburgh dealers. Trade unions are powerful at VW, and reports also indicate that Porsche control may upset the balance currently established. While Porsche claims to be a long-term investor, job cuts at VW plants could ultimately result. At the retail end, Dartmouth Volkswagen expects plenty of long-term changes and exciting new products, perhaps further blending components and design across the likes of Porsche, Volkswagen, and Audi.
The Bulli concept vehicle now follows in the footsteps of the original bus and demonstrates the concept of maximum space utilisation with the characteristic "V" with VW logo at the front end and the cleanest of proportions. In the process, the concept vehicle's design follows the maxims of the new Volkswagen "design DNA." Retro? Hardly. It is a Volkswagen! The new edition of the Bulli is 3.99 metres long, 1.75 metres wide and 1.70 metres tall. The T1 was somewhat longer and taller, but narrower. With a wheelbase of 2.62 metres, the Volkswagen Bulli utilises the overall length very well. Also striking here are the Bulli's relatively large track widths (1.50 m front and rear) in relation to body width. Front end: Like the Samba bus before it, the Bulli being presented in Geneva also has two-tone paint - in this case white and red. The "V" on the bonnet, is kept white. The bonnet does house the engine: instead of rear-wheel drive with a boxer engine, as on the Samba, the Volkswagen Bulli has an electric motor located forward of the front axle and front-wheel drive.
Here it is a compact integral drive whose primary components are an E-motor, high-voltage pulse inverter and DC/DC converter for the 12-Volt electrical system. In keeping with the Volkswagen design DNA, there is a horizontal layout of the narrow dual headlights with L-shaped LED daytime running lights and turn indicators implemented as LEDs arranged in an inverted L shape at each outer corner. Incidentally, LEDs not only exhibit tremendous luminous power and long life; due to their low energy consumption they are ideal for the electrically powered Bulli of 2011. Located between the headlights in the bonnet is, as always, the VW logo. On the level beneath, one finds - once again arranged in a horizontal line - the air intakes for the passenger compartment and for battery cooling or for cooling the alternative conventional drives. Finally, the bumper that is seamlessly integrated in the front end completes the design. Laterally, it exhibits a large round fog light on each side, another air intake in the middle, and a front spoiler in black below. This line matches the lines of the side sills.
Side profile: The Bulli's two-tone paint also distinguishes the sides. Treated in white is the entire area above what is known as the character line. Originating in the wings is a white stripe that runs to the distinctive D-pillars; above them, the entire roof section is painted in this colour. The continuous line of windows creates an especially striking contrast between the white sections. Here the visually slender black pillars executed in the style of the 2001 Microbus concept are visually striking. Painted in red are the door mirror housings protruding from the line of windows. Beneath the character line is the red body area. Rear section: The Volkswagen design DNA with its horizontal lines also dominates the rear of the new Bulli. Viewed from the bottom upwards, above the body-coloured bumper (including black, stylised diffuser) there is the tailgate that extends across the entire width of the vehicle. In the tailgate, the narrow LED rear lights continue a theme from the Microbus concept of 2001. At the centre, but smaller than at the front end: the VW symbol. When all six seating locations are fully occupied, there is a 370 litre bootspace behind the tailgate.
