What could make me drool more than advanced, touch sensitive user interfaces and speech recognition controls? How about dropping it in a restored 1964 Volkwagen Deluxe Microbus and topping it off with an all electric drive train!

Feast your eyes on this beauty:

This excellent conversion was done by Volkswagen’s Electronics Research Laboratory in Palo Alto, California (hence the the surfer-inspired bus). From the press release:

In addition to being a cultural icon, the Deluxe Microbus carries a uniquely Californian flavor. With its 21 windows and soft-top canvas roof, the vehicle was a favorite of surfers and adventurers on the West Coast, and is considered a prized collector’s item today. Acknowledging California’s traditionally environmentally friendly attitude, the ERL collaborated with Hybrid Technologies to replace the original VW engine with an all electric drive engine powered by lithium polymer batteries. Surfboards mounted on the roof are also lined with flexible solar panels that provide an additional source of energy to this 100% electric vehicle.

The interior of the bus is full of surprises, with an interactive digital instrument cluster, imbedded capacitive touch-pads, digitally enhanced sound quality, exciting rear seat entertainment options, and speech activated controls available throughout the cabin. The exterior houses several exciting new approaches for keyless entry, LED lighting, wide-angle parking cameras, switchable glass and much more.

Check out some additional photos of the user interface in Jalopnik’s A New Old Bus: Volkswagen Updates a 1964 Microbus with Gadgets.

VW’s ERL definitely has a great attention to detail as the restoration alone is an excellent job, and their decision to hide the modern technology in the original interior seals the deal for me (or would if I could buy one).

As much as I love Vermont, the only reason I couldn’t do an electric conversion like this is the amount of salt they use on the roads during the winter: the bodies of old (and new) cars just can’t hold out against the constant corrosive bombardment for over four months.

Here’s to [California] dreamin’!

[via Treehugger]