Flower Power Is Back … Volkswagen style!

Check out the new (or old, sort of) Volkswagen Chameleon concept car. This retrofitted 1964 VW Deluxe Microbus carries a uniquely Californian flavour. Conceived at Volkswagen’s Electronics Research Lab (ERL) in Palo Alto, California; this red and white VW is a representation of a world-renowned cultural icon.

The goal of ERL was to preserve the classic look of the iconic Microbus, while enhancing it with the latest developments in audio, speech, sensors, displays, navigation, lighting, batteries and solar. The 40-year-old Microbus is fully equipped with the latest 21^st century technology. Even though the retrofit was done as a publicity tool, it still aims to inspire.

Dubbed the “Chameleon”, this renovated bus represents one of the first applications of light-emitting diode (LED) headlamps, courtesy of Osram Sylvania Automotive Lighting. According to Sylvania “Our goal was to incorporate as much new electronic technology as possible, without changing the character of the vehicle”.

Inside the Chameleon, cabin lighting comes from Osram Sylvania’s O-Star product line, which uses a selection of four LEDs grouped together. A flexible fiber-optic cable carries light to eight different places on the walls and in the floor. The interior includes an interactive digital instrument cluster, embedded capacitive touch-pads, digitally enhanced sound quality, exciting rear seat entertainment options, and speech activated controls available throughout the cabin.

The original VW engine has been replaced with an all-electric-drive engine powered by lithium polymer batteries. The groovy surfboards mounted on the roof are not just for decoration but are also lined with flexible solar panels to provide an additional source of energy to this 100% electric vehicle. These technologies aim to enhance the driving experience while limiting driver distraction.

Volkswagen America is quick to dismiss notions of the Microbus making a full come-back. “There is no plan to bring it back,” a VW spokesman says. “It’s just an interesting platform to bring the best of old and new technologies together.”

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Tags: Chameleon, Concept Car, Volkswagen