Chrysler is credited with inventing the minivan segment, but nearly two decades before the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager were released, a small van from Volkswagen made its debut. The Volkswagen Microbus popularize in the1960s was small, roomy and underpowered, but it was prized by owners for its cheap price and its simple, good looks. When you think of the ultimate hippie car, the Microbus is it - this "love bus" is what defined a generation and likely conceived some of today's now 40-something children. Alas, the Microbus or Volkswagen Kombi or Type 2 was pulled from the U.S. Market in the late 1970s, but it is still built and sold in Brazil. In the U.S., the Volkswagen Routan currently fills the spot vacated by the Kombi, but on closer inspection everyone knows that this boxy vehicle is a close relative of Chrysler's minivans. By 2014, an all-new Volkswagen van is expected to hit the market and this one will likely bear the Microbus name.
Riding on a modified platform occupied by the compact Golf and similar-sized models, the Volkswagen Bulli offers room for six and, in the case of the concept, is a pure-electric vehicle. That's right, the model prized by the peace, love and environmental aware 1960s generation may lose the tail pipe and rely strictly on battery electric power to get around. Volkswagen hasn't committed to this version of the car, but they are saying that it will have a 186.4 mile range and can be fully recharged in less than one hour at a recharging station. 3, offering two bench seats just like in earlier models. This car, however, will include all of today's popular amenities including navigation and audio systems, Bluetooth, traction and stability control, side curtain airbags and other safety features. The two-tone paint scheme that defined the first model is back and is the roof rack and custom wheels. Volkswagen may choose to offer several versions of its all-new Microbus, outfitting some with diesel engines and others with gas engines or perhaps a gas-electric hybrid. Much depends on the acceptance of vehicle electrication in key markets and the price point customers would accept for this kind of car. No matter, the thought that Volkswagen is returning to its earth-friendly roots should inspire a new generation of buyers as well as warm the hearts of grandparents who prized the original model for its simplicity and value.
Volkswagen previously priced itself above its intended market, but wants to regain the title of peoples' car with the all-new Jetta. Our Jetta SEL review car looked like a very good value, even at that price. For one, its navigation and Bluetooth phone systems are standard. No matter what trim it comes in, the new Jetta isn't much to look at. Although it features a very modern design, with smoothed metal and de-emphasized ornamentation, it is nearly the Platonic ideal of a sedan. The roof shows a pleasant amount of curvature while allowing ample interior headroom, the hood tapers down to keep the grille from being too prominent, and the back flows evenly into the bumper. Many people like nondescript cars, so in that sense the body style works for Volkswagen, but good luck finding it in a parking lot. On a practical note, the trunk is amazingly large. It actually seemed about equal to that of the Audi A8 we tested recently.
On paper, the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine sounds quite powerful. With 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, we expected to do front-wheel burn-outs. But the sensation was on the anemic side, with power quickly falling off as we accelerated. Knowing what we could get out of this engine, we learned to plan our passing and merging maneuvers very carefully. The SEL comes with this five-cylinder engine, but three other engine options are available. Although it uses double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, this engine stops short of some of the efficiency advances Volkswagen has in its toolbox. But there will soon be a 2011 Jetta with a 2-liter direct injection turbocharged engine, Volkswagen's TSI, along with a diesel, TDI version. Another engine option currently available is the 2-liter four-cylinder in the base model, which only makes 115 horsepower. The Jetta SEL's engine didn't feel particularly strong, but we wrung what we could out of it with the standard manual transmission. This manual showed good action through its gate, easily and comfortably shifting from gear to gear without confusion, but it is only a five speed, which seems a little behind the times.
