The community got a first glimpse of the "Vanagon" in an article in a trendy German car magazine, November 1978. The article heralded the opening of the vanagon. The VW bus, built for more than 25 years, and tenderly called ”Bulli“, (German for little bull) by the public, will be replaced this year by a contemporary successor. The customized and stylized mini-transporter will take delivery of a newly designed body with stronger lines and more interior space. VW continues the proven idea of the rear-engine bus. Air-cooled and water-cooled engines will be accessible, and many different versions will be available.
The initial vanagon left the Hannover factory in the spring of 1979. The new design integrated much improved passive safety. Crash tests helped with the design of crumple zones, which in the case of a frontage or side impact, absorb energy. The driver and passenger are secluded by an impact protection beam at knee height inside the front passenger section. Included in the doors are side impact beams.
Management has been much improved, and the vanagon is less side wind responsive than its predecessor. The initial engines: 1.6 liter 50 Hp, and a 2.0 liter 70 Hp, air-cooled. VW sell the mini-bus, multi-van, and campers. 1981, beginning of the 1.6 liter diesel, 50 hp.1982, beginning of the water wrestler motor, with 60 and 78 hp.1985, VW significantly modifies the engines. Newly introduced, the 70 hp turbo-diesel and 2.1 liter fuel-injected description 95 hp water boxer.
