Date:    Mon, 9 Dec 2002 08:11:20 -0800
From:    Joachim Preiss <spielmobil@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: more T5 photos

>The pictures show two different cars. One looks like an updated Eurovan,
but
>the smaller one may be a new version of the 'Sharan' minivan.
>
>Very conservative looks though. I find the new Microbus much more
'exiting'.

^^^^^

You misspelled "cute"...

Exiting would be TDI syncro Westy. That's what they'll get in Germany. A
great big refined box on wheels with all the cool stuff that you can
actually use. We'll get none of the aforementioned stuff, we'll get a cute
outside, and plenty of video screens all over the inside to placate our
inability to entertain ourselves for more than 5 seconds or to think an
original thought. It'll haul less, carry fewer people, get worse mileage,
and probably cost more.

The original bus was born out of nothing more than a practical appliance. It
was useful, cheap, and highly capable. Because cars of the era had many
swoops and jet fighter appearance was all the rage, the bus was ridiculously
ugly. And that's why it's so endearing.

To try to recreate the *image* without any of the substance seems rather
silly and the bus would become no more than an affectation.

But I'm sure it will sell well.

Az
--
AH#56