VW Icon “Bulli” Copied in China as Skyworth “Summer
Skyworth’s ‘Summer’ Van Draws Inspiration From Classic VW Bus
Auto enthusiasts may do a double-take when seeing Skyworth’s new vehicle in China. The “Summer” van bears a striking resemblance to the iconic Volkswagen T1 bus.
The Summer, produced by Chinese manufacturer Skyworth, a subsidiary of Skywell, appears to borrow heavily from the design of the original VW bulli.
Retro Design: Homage or Copy?
The Skyworth Summer mirrors the T1’s V-shaped front, complete with round headlights and a substitute for the VW logo. The side profile, featuring opposing double doors on the passenger side, further evokes the classic VW bus. However,the split windshield is replaced by a single,vertical pane of glass.
Less refined are the wheel arch extensions and running boards, which seem more suited to an off-road SUV. the rear features split swing doors and an externally mounted spare tire. Unlike the rear-engine T1, the Summer has a front-mounted engine.
Plug-in Hybrid Powertrain
The Skyworth Summer utilizes a plug-in hybrid system, replacing the traditional air-cooled engine. A 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder Geely turbo gasoline engine works in conjunction with a 70-kW electric motor, producing a combined 218 horsepower. The van can also run purely on electric power for a limited range. Top speed is listed at 165 kilometers per hour.
The summer measures 5.30 meters long, 2.06 meters wide and 1.93 meters tall. It can accommodate up to seven seats with a wheelbase of 3.25 meters.
Legal Concerns for Volkswagen?
It remains to be seen how volkswagen will respond to this design. The Bulli, especially the T1, is a design icon.Volkswagen already has the ID.Buzz, a modern retro version. The Skyworth variant could gain traction, especially in the Chinese market.
Skyworth’s “Summer” Van: A Modern Take on a Classic?
Here’s a breakdown of teh Skyworth Summer van, answering your burning questions about this retro-inspired vehicle.
What is the Skyworth Summer van?
The Skyworth Summer is a new van produced by the Chinese manufacturer skyworth, a subsidiary of Skywell. It’s generating buzz due to its striking resemblance to the iconic Volkswagen T1 bus, often referred to as the “Bulli.”
What makes the Skyworth Summer resemble the VW T1?
The Skyworth Summer’s design heavily borrows from the classic VW T1. Key design elements that evoke the T1 include:
V-shaped front: similar to the original bus.
Round headlights: A defining feature of the T1.
Side profile: Featuring opposing double doors on the passenger side, reminiscent of the T1’s layout.
Is the Skyworth Summer a direct copy of the VW T1?
While the Skyworth Summer clearly draws inspiration from the T1, there are some differences. For example, the split windshield found on the T1 is replaced with a single, vertical pane of glass on the Summer. The wheel arch extensions adn running boards also differ.
What engine does the Skyworth Summer have?
Unlike the rear-engine T1, the Summer boasts a front-mounted engine.The Skyworth Summer utilizes a plug-in hybrid system. This powertrain includes:
A 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder Geely turbo gasoline engine.
A 70-kW electric motor.
This combination produces a combined 218 horsepower.
What is the performance like for the Skyworth Summer?
The article provides some performance information:
Combined horsepower: 218 hp
Top Speed: 165 kilometers per hour.
The van can run purely on electric power for a limited range.
What are the dimensions and seating capacity of the skyworth Summer?
Here’s a fast rundown of the Skyworth Summer’s size and capacity:
Length: 5.30 meters
Width: 2.06 meters
Height: 1.93 meters
Wheelbase: 3.25 meters
* Seating: Up to seven seats
How does the Skyworth Summer compare to the original VW T1?
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences, based on the information provided:
| Feature | Skyworth Summer | VW T1 (Original) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Plug-in Hybrid (1.5L petrol + electric motor) | Air-cooled engine (typically rear-mounted) |
| Windshield | Single, vertical pane | Split windshield |
| Engine Location | Front | Rear |
| Wheel Arch/running Boards | “Less refined” | Classic design |
Is there a chance of legal issues, given the design similarities?
The article mentions it “remains to be seen how Volkswagen will respond to this design.” The VW T1, is a design icon, and has the modern retro version ID.Buzz. It’s possible that Volkswagen could pursue legal action, though the outcome is uncertain. The Skyworth variant could gain traction, especially in the Chinese market.