New VW crossover concept

[YSSMAN]

Theve been talking about it for a while here in the US, and with no offical word from VW, I give you this:

The VW Concept A:

February 17, 2006
Volkswagen's new SUV star
Volkswagen says the front grille of its latest concept car 'looks like the mirror image of a cheetah'.

Can't say we see it ourselves, but the Concept A is far more interesting than its supposed animal impressions.

For starters, the car is a clear indication that VW is looking to introduce a sub-Touareg SUV to takes sales from the Land Rover Freelander and Toyota RAV4.

Four-wheel drive is provided by VW's 4Motion system, while the engine in the concept is a 150bhp 'twincharger' engine connected to a six-speed gearbox.

Other engine choices VW says are possible are the Golf GTi's 2.0-litre, 197bhp unit and the company's 136bhp, 2.0-litre turbodiesel.

VW says other engines could fit under the bonnet, hinting towards a more developed range than a pure concept would suggest.

The Concept A has short overhangs for decent off-road ability, while on-road handling is also a priority and is helped by 20in alloy wheels.

The front doors are standard fare, but the back doors hinge from their rear edge to clap-hand with the fronts.

Four sculpted seats give the interior a sporty overtone, while the dash has a single large dial with digital display in its centre. A canvas roof can be folded back to let in plenty of fresh air.

The Concept A makes its entrance at the Geneva motor show.

The word has been for some time that the US market would recieve a small crossover based on the Golf, and although I doubt this is it, its pretty cool.

 

[194GVan]

ooh, I like it, the sliding ragtop is a nice touch.

 

[F1GTR]

Would make a nice beach buggy.

 

[JCE]

ooh, I like it, the sliding ragtop is a nice touch.

+1 I like it too, finally VW's got a good looking concept in a while.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Looks good from everyview but the front. But I can't see it becoming a competent off roader, it just doesn't seem worth it as so few people would take it off road.

And what's with the pillar less doors?

 

[YSSMAN]

Vehicles that are sans B-pillar are becoming popular, and it seems to have worked well with cars like the RX8 and Element.

 

[95GTIVR6]

Looks good from everyview but the front. But I can't see it becoming a competent off roader, it just doesn't seem worth it as so few people would take it off road.

I wonder how many people said that about the Toureg?

 

[ExigeEvan]

I wonder how many people said that about the Toureg?

Well I suppose it all depends whether they choose develep it's own chassis or whether they choose to use the Golf platform.

And yes, credit is due to VW and Porsche as the Toureg and Cayenne are both competent off roaders. However, it'll be interesting to see if this sub-toureg will go the way of the X3 (The sub-X5).

 

[Raghavan]

No, this isn't on the golf platform. The SUV that VW has been developing on the golf platform is the VW Marakesh or something like that.

 

[YSSMAN]

The Makeresh (or however youre gonna spell it) I think is going to be the same as the "CossGolf" or something like that...

 

[JohnBM01]

One word: weird. I've seen weird Japanese concept cars, but this is a weird German concept. Just looks weird. I never seemed to understand taking SUVs or something, and just softening up their name by calling them something like crossovers or ??V (for example, SUV, LUV, SAT, SUT, etc.). This one seems more car-like. Think of a hatchback-looking thingamajig that's jacked up off the ground, has a rag top, four doors (if you count the trunk/boot, it's a five-door), and has Porsche-style aerodynamics. Interesting, huh?

I don't know where Volkswagen is going with this thing, but I strangely like it. Me gusta. Comprende?[/B]

 

[YSSMAN]

...I saw photos on Theleftlanenews.com of the updated Touraeg... You can definatley see some resemblance.

Interesting....