Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2018 02:05:51 -0400
Reply-To: Stephen Engel <sengel543@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stephen Engel <sengel543@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: VW Electric Bus, request your Vanagon comparison observations
In-Reply-To: <8EC58A36-FEE4-4108-A7E4-4D9D7A43622A@icloud.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Thanks for the link, Eric.
It appears that the new “Bus”, the ID Buzz, is slightly larger than the original Bus on the outside. But on the interior, the driver now sits well behind the front wheels rather than on top of them in the old Bus. This results in less interior space I’m guessing. The new van offers a trunk in the front like the original Beetle.
Bear in mind that both vans are significantly smaller than our Vanagons.
The floor is totally flat front to back. They show that you will be able to configure the seats so you can lay down, but that doesn’t leave any space for other things. But who knows?, the current “Westy”, the T6 California, packs a lot of features in what I believe is less interior space than a Vanagon.
The biggest limitation to producing a camper will be the range. Even at 250-300 mile range, that really restricts where one can go. The infrastructure for fast charging will still be minuscule when the Buzz Camper will be offered. Maybe you can camp for a day or two at a conventional hook-up and continue on your way, but even in 2020 you will have to do some considerable planning to manage a cross country trip or one into the wilderness.
What does the future hold? I never thought I’d be carrying a computer in my pocket at all times and even leaving it within arms reach while sleeping.
Steve
87 Syncro
PS The other big limitation will be the cost. The current T6 California costs about $62,000. That buys a lot of conventional RV, maybe one with TWO bathrooms.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jul 23, 2018, at 6:46 PM, Eric Caron <eric.caron@ICLOUD.COM> wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
>
> I hope this isn’t too off topic but I’m not near wifi on Fridays often during camping season!
>
> I was sent the following link to a show about the VW Electric bus expected in 2022.
>
> I even had a friend tell me they are considering selling their vanagon now to start saving for the bus.
>
> For me this could be a ideal “second” camper bus as it will hopefully be self driving.
>
> So, if any of you have seen this or can share your visual description or other comparison’s to a vanagon camper I’d be very interested.
>
> Example, they put it near a original VW bus and I can’t tell if they describe it as bigger or smaller.
>
> They do say completely flat inside and that does sound like it could lend itself to some creative camper designs.
>
> Should I allow myself to dream that I could have something like this sitting next to my VW Vanagon?
>
>
> https://youtu.be/TQut6ks3nSY <https://youtu.be/TQut6ks3nSY>
>
>
> Eric Caron
> 85 GL Auto