Horsham, West Sussex -- (SBWire) -- 05/04/2015 --The iconic Volkswagen camper van is set to make a comeback, but in this incarnation an electric engine will power it.

Volkswagen launched their Westfalia camper van in 1951, and sold them right through to 2003 when the last one rolled off the production line in Brazil. Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser at the New York Auto Show made the announcement. He said that the plan was to run the vehicles on batteries and have the electric motor send the power through the front wheels.

The new camper van is expected to look very different from the original type 2 Volkswagen van. However, certain classic design features will be carried through into the new version. Dr Neusser explained to the press at the show which features the new camper van would still feature. He 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."

Volkswagen has already built an electric powered van. In 2011, they built an electric concept van called the Bulli that was somewhere between a small van and a microbus. Currently, there are no plans to produce this concept van.

It is a busy time for Volkswagen's van production team. In early April, the new Transporter T6 was officially launched in Amsterdam.

This new panel van is designed for the minivan market, but there will also be a Caravelle MPV version available. This is the 6th incarnation of the famous transporter panel van. The first version, the 'Splitty' was first sold 65 years ago.

As well as a different look, the new T6 features a host of new security and safety features. It has a full Driver Alert System fitted as standard as well as adaptive cruise control.

The launch of new vans always generates a high number of trade ins, which means that used VW dealers in West Sussex,and most parts of the UK will see an immediate uplift in business. This uplift is likely to continue as used versions of the transporter 6 filter through into the used van market.

For more information visit the website http://www.smgvw.co.uk/

For Media Contact:
First Name: Gary
Last Name: Hawkins
Business Name: Southern Motor Group Cowfold
Address: Henfield Road, Cowfold
City: Horsham
County: West Sussex
Postcode: RH13 8DT
Country: United Kingdom
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Email: gnicholls@smguk.co.uk
Website: http://www.smgvw.co.uk