Modern Kombi nation

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

The latest interpretation of the Volkswagen Kombi, the van generations of young New Zealanders used on their OE around Europe, is expected to go on sale here late in 2004.

It will go into production next year at VW's restructured plant in Hanover, Germany - where the original Kombi first rolled out more than 50 years ago - and is expected to be launched at the Frankfurt motor show in October next year.

The 21st-century Kombi/Microbus is based on a seven-seater working concept unveiled at the Detroit motor show last year and shown in Geneva, Frankfurt, Sydney and Tokyo.

Public response to the prototype was such that VW, buoyed by the success of the similarly retro-styled new Beetle, gave the Kombi the go-ahead.

"It is high on our wish list following the success of the Beetle," says Dean Sheed, VW New Zealand general manager. "Pinning down the price is difficult, but it will probably be in the Passat vicinity and start at around $50,000."

The Kombi is expected to be powered by a choice of petrol and diesel engines mated to sequential-style Tiptronic gearboxes. There will be front-drive and four-wheel-drive variants, the all-paw models using VW's 4Motion system.

And talk is that the premium model will come with the six-speed gearbox VW is using in its up-market Touareg off-roader, due next year.

The carmaker says the Kombi interprets some of the styling cues of the original but in a modern form.

Dr Bernd Pischetsrider, new chairman of the VW board of management says: "The VW bus was never just a means of transport - it has always been an emotive cult object.

"The public's reaction at motor shows, combined with the findings of market studies, already show us that the Microbus design has a spontaneous appeal, and that the vehicle will follow in the footsteps of its successful predecessor."

VW says the multifunctional Kombi will have a versatile interior layout, where "the reversible seating, curved instrument panel, and uninterrupted space between driver and front passengers provides a sense of open space and the freedom to move around the vehicle".

Like the Beetle, the six-seat concept Kombi was styled by VW's design studio in California. The carmaker calls the concept the "bus of the future - a contemporary expression of personality and freedom".

It adds: "Its authentic styling and numerous innovations uphold a great tradition that began in 1950. But [to build] a slavish copy of the original would have been inappropriate.

"The aim has been to instead create a genuine Volkswagen that pays homage to a noble heritage of vehicles that have always pursued their own individual course."

The show model might have been inspired by the short overhangs, wrap-around windows, high waistline and front-mounted VW badge of the 50-year-old original, but it contains all the latest technology, including xenon headlights and push-button hydraulic sliding doors.

And it is bigger overall, measuring 4722mm in length and 1909mm in width, with a wheelbase of 3000mm.

The Kombi sits on a front-wheel-drive platform built for the next-generation commercial, called the T5 in VW-speak, due in 2004.

Inside, the three rows of sliding seats are fitted with controls for in-car entertainment. The individual middle seats can be swivelled to face the rear, and the benchseat third row can cope with three adults.

The concept model is powered by a 3.2-litre V6 engine first seen in the limited-edition Beetle RSi. It produces 170kW delivered to the front wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission.

The production model will create 1500 new jobs at Hanover. First-year output is expected to total 120,000 models, reducing thereafter to about 80,000 vehicles annually. The United States is expected to take two-thirds of production.

Volkswagen launched the original four-cylinder Kombi van in Europe in 1949. It had a split windscreen, seating for nine, 21 windows, an air-cooled engine in the rear and was based on a 1947 design by Dutch VW importer Ben Pon. His concept was simple: he sketched a rectangle on top of the existing Beetle platform.

VW codenamed it the T1 but over the years it has been called everything from Kombi to Caravelle. It introduced it to the American market in 1950, where it was called the Microbus and sold as a station wagon to make it more palatable to consumers who never heard of using a van for everyday driving.

The carmaker's advertising agency based its campaign on the success of the Beetle's legendary "Think Small" message. Only the Kombi ads told Americans to "Think Tall".

VW America sold more than 325,000 Kombis between 1950 and 1966. They became popular transport for the hippie generation, either as a van, double-cab or pick-up.

In 1967 the second-generation model, called the T2, appeared. It had a flatter front, one-pane windscreen, sliding side door and more powerful engine.

The third-generation T3, called the Vanagon, was launched in 1979. It had better aerodynamics and offered optional four-wheel-drive.

In 1983, VW replaced the air-cooled engine with a water-cooled powerplant. This model was replaced in 1992 by the all-new fourth-generation T4, which came with an engine in the front.