Van with a Plan

The hippies of the '60s imagined a brighter future as they careened around in their Westfalia VW vans. Now Alexander Verdier has made that hopeful future a reality, reimagining the iconic VW cruiser with his new chic and environmentally friendly rendition, the Verdier Solar Power. Awarded the prize for Innovation in New Mobility at the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf—Europe's largest caravanning exhibition—the Verdier Solar Power is a hybrid vehicle outfitted with a system of solar panels, called sun trackers, that provide electricity to the van's many accessories, including an onboard multimedia computer, a wireless Internet connection and a GPS that can calculate, among other things, the vehicle's ideal position in the sun. Although the Verdier won't be available until 2009, reservations can be made now for the $129,000 camper—and it's selling fast. "We think it's possible to connect with nature through technology," Verdier says. "It's for people who care about the environment and prefer to go with a smaller and smarter design." For those seeking a more grounded way to travel, the retro style and modern amenities of the Verdier just might be the way to roll (www.verdier.ca).