Minibus and van in detailMinibuses and vans are one thing: practical. However, despite the multiple usability as people-. Goods transporters nowadays the models also offer a lot of driving fun. How they developed over time and which vehicle representatives are currently on the market, will be clarified below.
History and structural characteristics
The history of minibuses began in the 1950s with the introduction of the iconic VW buses. Originally from the transport class, these vehicles have been equipped with much more comfort for leisure and family trips. With its versatility, the VW bus served as the basis for many touring and motorhome vehicles. However, since the minivan has a comparatively low vehicle weight with up to nine seats, it still falls into the passenger car category – so no additional driver's license class is required to drive minivans.
Due to the popularity that the VW Bus quickly gained among buyers, car manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Opel and Ford soon followed suit and produced similar models for their own vehicle range. Major sales successes failed to materialize here, however. In the 1980s, the van, derived from caravan, came onto the market. From 1990, the models of this type of vehicle became popular also in Europe, after having achieved high sales figures especially in the USA and in Japan.
The van is also characterized by its generous seating and storage space: thanks to the spacious interior, which also transports strollers, luggage and large purchases from A to B without any problems, vans are still popular family cars today. The Renault Espace is considered to be the first large sedan, which later evolved into a van through structural modifications. The Espace scored particularly well for its stable and therefore safe design.
Product diversity in the vehicle market
As the largest van in the MPV class, the VW Sharan has been produced on the European market. At the same time, Seat offers the Alhambra, which is identical to the series production model. As a 7-seater, this has a flexible space concept with sliding or easily removable rear seats. In its second generation, the more practical one-. Exit sliding doors installed. With the minibuses the VW bus is the most popular one. Best known of its category. It is both a people carrier and a camper van. From 1980, the six-seater was even upgraded by its own name Multivan. Comfort equipment, a high roof as well as bed devices and, if desired, an interior insulation are installed as standard. In the meantime also available as 7-seater, in the course of the time different equipment variants, like the California with folding roof, the Atlantic or Allstar, came on the market. Especially for nostalgia fans, the first T1 and T2 series are absolute cult objects.