Volkswagen plans return of Microbus

An expanded lineup of Beetle-themed cars are in Volkswagen's future, including a Microbus model that we have seen in various concept forms over the past decade, according to Auto Express. When Volkswagen renews the Beetle in 2019, it will also debut a crossover, coupe and a mini-MPV, all based on the MQB architecture that underpins the new Golf.

Even though plans of an MPV rebirth date back to the introduction of a number of concepts in the early 2000s, Volkswagen hadn't pulled the trigger on putting an homage to the Bus (known as the Kombi in most of the world, or Camper in the U.K.) intro production for a number of reasons. But the success of BMW's Mini brand, as well as the ever-growing lineup of Fiat 500 offshoots may have lent the Wolfsburg-based automaker some confidence.

The latest incarnation of a Microbus was seen in 2011 at the Geneva motor show where Volkswagen introduced the electric Bulli concept, seen above, based on the Volkswagen up! city car. The Bulli was nowhere near the size of the original Microbus, and it appears that Volkswagen will be planning something that is a couple sizes larger for a production version of the Microbus

Auto Express quotes Volkswagen sources saying that the Microbus will feature retro-'60s exterior design, and that it will be powered by engines found among the MQB platform cars, which will include 1.0-liter three-cylinder engines and available 4Motion all-wheel drive.

The next Beetle is set to debut in 2019, which is when we might seen the Microbus reach production as well. So there is still quite a bit of time before we see what Volkswagen is planning in physical form. The Beetle itself has not been as strong a seller in Europe as it has been in North America, which could explain Volkswagen's ambivalence to date over a full lineup of Mini-style classic-themed cars.

By Jay Ramey