NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: VW Kombi could return

Senior Volkswagen board member, Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser, has revealed work is already underway on a long-awaited spiritual successor to the Type 2 Kombi or Microbus.

Despite teasing new Kombis for well over a decade Volkswagen, claims Neusser, is closer than ever to resurrecting original icon’s look.

Speaking to British car magazine, Autocar, the senior VW exec confirmed both engineers and designers are already working on a new concept for the Kombi that could draw heavy influence from the 2011 Bulli concept launched at the Geneva motor show.

Like that concept the new small people mover, that’s thought close to production, will be electric and boast design cues lifted straight from the original.

Explaining what he meant Neusser said: "First the wide, solid, D-Pillar, second the boxy design of the centre section and, thirdly, the front end must have a very short overhang. The distance from the A-pillar to the front end must be very short."

Key to its success will be its looks, according to Neusser. That’s why it will shun petrol and diesel power and adopt electric power. The reason? The more compact e-motor allows for it to be positioned low in the body. This allows a lower bonnet line and for the A-pillars to be pushed further forward mimicking the old Kombi’s boxy proportions without compromising crash safety.

Back in 2011, the Bulli was powered by a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that sat below the floor. With an electric motor that produced 85 kW the concept was capable of a 0-100km/h in 11.5 seconds with a top speed of 130km/h. The battery range, meanwhile, was a decent 300km.

Neusser didn’t confirm when or how soon we’ll see the fruits of Volkswagen’s labours but the Frankfurt motor show in September could be a safe bet.