VW Shows Electric Microbus

Volkswagen has reached into its nostalgia-laden past to create its latest concept car, dubbed the Chameleon. The concept takes its name from its ability to hide the many advanced technologies that lie beneath its skin. Outwardly, the Chameleon appears no different than the 1964 VW Deluxe Microbus on which it is based. However, thanks to the engineers at VW's Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) based in Palo Alto, California, that's where the similarities end.

The original Microbus's engine has been replaced with an all electric drive motor powered by lithium polymer batteries, the result of a collaboration with lithium-power specialists Hybrid Technologies. The surfboards mounted on the roof are lined with flexible solar panels to provide an additional source of energy. On the inside, an interactive digital instrument cluster, speech activated controls, touch-pads, and rear seat entertainment options ensure no one will mistake this for the Microbuses of yore. VW will use the concept as a public relations to tool to show off the latest in automotive electronics, and the potential to integrate them in new and unexpected ways.