Berlin - What appears to be a modern incarnation of the Volkswagen Microbus with a battery engine is being lined up for the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The new concept car could help repair some of the damage to the German carmaker's image since an emissions-rigging scandal broke.
The Wolfsburg giant is being tight lipped about the new vehicle but teaser photos show a tall, boxy shape under the dust wraps with a prominent VW badge on the front.
Car magazines in and outside Germany say the vehicle will be the long-awaited successor to the iconic bus and camper van which VW fans have been awaiting for years.
“Volkswagen will present a completely new concept car at the CES to illustrate the major changes that the car is set to go through in the next few years,” said a company statement.
“First and foremost the world premiere marks the beginning of a new era of affordable long-distance electromobility.”
The nameless electric vehicle will be one of the stars at CES 2016, which runs from January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas. Top Volkswagen executive Herbert Diess will introduce the chunky concept in a keynote speech.
Britain's Autocar magazine says the electric bus is close to a production vehicle being fettled for introduction in 2017. It would go on sale in petrol, diesel and electric versions.
Volkswagen has not commented officially on the Las Vegas showcar.
DPA