Despite its name sounding like the acronym for a space creature, VW's new eT concept hardly looks “out of this world”.
In fact, many of its styling elements could lend themselves to the next-generation VW panel van/bus range that's due to replace the T5 around 2013.
With its short bonnet and large VW logo, the eT's front end pays some stylistic tribute to the original T2 'Kombi' without being overly retro. In fact, its slim but angular headlights seem inspired by the VW Up and lend a rather modern appearance.
While we're on that subject, the eT (designed for use by post offices) has some nifty features, such as the ability to operate semi-automatically in certain situations. Without the need for a driver behind the wheel, the vehicle can follow the delivery person from house to house or return to the delivery person on command.
Alternatively, the driver can direct the car's movements via a 'drive stick' from the passenger's side that also offers a standing seat and quick access to the vehicle.
On the passenger's side (ultimately the working area of the delivery person) there's an electrically opening sliding door that opens to two different stages - enabling extremely quick entry into the vehicle as well as quick access to the mail parcels.
Yet the vehicle wasn't only designed with Postman Pat (or his German equivalent) in mind; VW says that variants of this commercial vehicle could be created for all conceivable business uses. We imagine the red light district version could be quite interesting then.
The other boasting point of this concept is that it's battery powered, although VW has not gone into detail on this aspect of the vehicle.
And perhaps more than just a fly-by-night concept or a styling preview of the next T-series, the eT concept, according to VW, will soon form part of a driving test study for further analysis.
Described as having the potential to revolutionise the light commercial vehicle, perhaps VW is on to something here. If nothing else, delivery drivers could be looking forward to an easier life.