VW Routan

[Sage]

In case you care. (Does anybody?)

And yes, if you can’t be bothered to read the article, it’s a rebadged Caravan/Town & Country.

 

[Tornado]

That's funny for too many reasons to list.

 

[Jim Prower]

So this is VW's Chrysler Minivan platform?

Note to Chrysler: BEG FOR THIS INTERIOR. and it looks a hell of a lot better than either Chrysler, too.

Also to Chrysler: BEG FOR A TDi!

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, I guess it isn't what I was expecting it to be as a VW fan... This certainly doesn't seem as "funky" as the old Eurovan (which I still LOVE!), but yeah, I really don't think VW was expecting to move many of these either.

Whats most disappointing?

Easy, the fact that they're using the Chrysler engines. WHY? Yeah, I really can't see it going places without the VW power under the hood... This one deserves the 3.6L VR6 and an AWD system, not that crap that they screw together with tin cans and leftover erector sets in Wisconsin...

FTW

 

[Philly]

Well, I guess it isn't what I was expecting it to be as a VW fan... This certainly doesn't seem as "funky" as the old Eurovan (which I still LOVE!), but yeah, I really don't think VW was expecting to move many of these either.

That really is a shame. It isn't a VW van with character and more of a different role but just "a van." The generic attitude of Chrysler products doesn't really seem to fit the VW lineup well. Maybe they'll do something interesting to it.

Easy, the fact that they're using the Chrysler engines. WHY? Yeah, I really can't see it going places without the VW power under the hood... This one deserves the 3.6L VR6 and an AWD system, not that crap that they screw together with tin cans and leftover erector sets in Wisconsin...

I was wondering the same thing. Expecting this, I was pretty confused when I saw it had a 3.6 L V6. After seeing the power, I realized that they are running Chrysler power. Why not use the 2.0T FSI found in every other model and give it better power and better fuel economy? And the VW 3.2 will probably make a better "sporty" version for a van than the 4.0.

A potential upside (but unlikely) is that VW sees their reliability problems are knows that won't fly well in a mainstream van and is using Chrysler power until they can make something better. But that's quite unlikely.

 

[Jim Prower]

Easy, the fact that they're using the Chrysler engines. WHY? Yeah, I really can't see it going places without the VW power under the hood... This one deserves the 3.6L VR6 and an AWD system, not that crap that they screw together with tin cans and leftover erector sets in Wisconsin...

Nah, the engines will run forever. It's the TRANNIES you have to worry about...

Oh, see below.

I was wondering the same thing. Expecting this, I was pretty confused when I saw it had a 3.6 L V6. After seeing the power, I realized that they are running Chrysler power. Why not use the 2.0T FSI found in every other model and give it better power and better fuel economy? And the VW 3.2 will probably make a better "sporty" version for a van than the 4.0.

Primary problem that I see?

the VW engines...wont' fit. not without more effort than VW and Chrysler are willing to try, I guess. It's really a shame, because some silky smooth VW engines would do well in the Chryslers, too. And a new Caravan Turbo? Woah, nelly...

 

[Philly]

And a new Caravan Turbo? Woah, nelly...

In a VW, that probably wouldn't be much more special than the name. That engine works as the sporty unit for the smaller cars and the workhorse in the larger cars. That engine would probably do good in the Caravan, though. With even Ford dropping cylinders and displacement and adding turbos. Chrysler would have a lot to benefit from that engine. Imagine one in the next Sebring...

 

[Sniffs]

THAT is a copout by Volks.
make your own, and don't give out with another copy of the Eurovan or Vanagon again!

I'll agree on the interior, tho...but it makes me think Camry.

 

[Tornado]

Imagine one in the next Sebring...

 

[Jim Prower]

How does a car that clearly was hit by another relate to a 2.0 TFSI in a Sebring? Most Sebring owners are little old ladies who'd never get onto the boost.

 

[Tornado]

How does a car that clearly was hit by another relate to a 2.0 TFSI in a Sebring?

[/sarcasm related to how a great engine in a terrible car just means that people will take the engine out]

 

[Keef]

The hell?

You can't tell me that Volkswagen seriously doesn't realize they've just made a terrible, terrible decision.

VW, nobody wants a minivan. They want a Bus!

 

[YSSMAN]

Yes, I agree. This is what they promised:

The Routan is not it. It will never be it. Volkswagen, therefore, seems to be losing it.

...Okay, maybe not. There are ways they can fix this, but they've got to be willing to spend the dollars to do it...

 

[Keef]

This is going to be by far the lowest quality car VW sells. I mean, the difference of interior quality and feel is going to be staggering, even compared to the Rabbit.

 

[Philly]

[/sarcasm related to how a great engine in a terrible car just means that people will take the engine out]

Um, the GTI/GLI start just a few thousand dollars over the Sebring. I'm sure somebody would rather take one of those and have a good car than buy the Sebring, toss the car and put the engine in something else.

 

[V1P3R]

I don't get it... Why shoot yourself in the foot and go with a chrysler van?

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> Wow, the best looking Chrysler Odyssey.

-> Too bad it will never be considered as a real VW, but its the best "Grand Caravan" on the market. Even I will get one if possible, as long they keep the stow-n-go seats.

-> This will be my VW van:

 

[Azuremen]

[/sarcasm related to how a great engine in a terrible car just means that people will take the engine out]

Fail...

But VW also fails. Chrysler van being rebadged is not going to go over well. People are use to looking at the rebadges for these things as is from the Plymouth/Chrysler/Dodge era. Why people will suddenly think its anything else besides a Caravan with a VW dub logo on the front is beyond me.

Oh wait, it is just a Caravan with a VW badge on the front

 

[Tornado]

Um, the GTI/GLI start just a few thousand dollars over the Sebring. I'm sure somebody would rather take one of those and have a good car than buy the Sebring, toss the car and put the engine in something else.

Um...yeah. That was kind of the point.

 

[YSSMAN]

Oh wait, it is just a Caravan with a VW badge on the front

It does have a (slightly) different interior!

Okay, even as a VW fan, I admit EPIC FAIL on this one...

 

[Tornado]

It just keeps getting funnier and funnier the more I think about it. Especially when you realize that VW probably would have done worse had they done it by themselves. Or that they already have 3 totally adequate MPV/minivans already designed for the European market. Or that they are taking Dodge Caravans and turning them into Town and Countrys and expecting no one to notice.

 

[TopHat]

I'd still rather have this than the Dodge or the Chrysler... That's all that really matters. As long as it all goes back to VW and Chrysler...

 

[Philly]

As much as I would think this van is better than the Chrysler, I would rather have the Town and Country or Caravan simply because this is not VW enough for the badge on the front IMO.

 

[Jim Prower]

The main thing here is the Interior: If VW can just give Chrysler that interior, the Caravan/T&C would be twice as good.

Or just buy out Chrysler outright. Move VW a little upmarket, make Chrysler the American SEAT/Skoda, with bigger cars.

 

[Philly]

Or just buy out Chrysler outright. Move VW a little upmarket, make Chrysler the American SEAT/Skoda, with bigger cars.

That would turn VW into one giant automaker. I guess that would help them become the world's largest automaker by 2012. I'm wondering if they would be able to do much more than Diamler did with Chrysler though.

So for moving the brands around, VW already has Audi at the upmarket end, and VW offers very affordable, great cars. Price-wise, VW and Chrysler are already pretty competitive and I don't see the room for VW to go up so Chrysler and Dodge would have to go down. The VWs are already far better cars anyway.

 

[YSSMAN]

Or just buy out Chrysler outright.

NO​

I don't think VW wants to waste that much money like their rivals down in Stuttgart. Furthermore, I don't think Porsche would let them waste that much money...

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> I agree YSS, just let Chrysler rot and die.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Yes, I agree. This is what they promised:

.

Why'd you want that one? It looks even more horrible

And what's up with VW and the "an" in their car names? Tiguan, now Routan, anything else? A Kiflam next or something?

 

[YSSMAN]

Because that is what the VW Van always has been, and always should be:

 

[Keef]

Everybody loves the bus. I hate VW, but I love the bus.