Filed under: Concept Cars, Wagons/Estates, Volkswagen
Volkswagen Neeza Concept: official shots and info
Click to enlarge
This morning, Shanghai Volkswagen revealed the Volkswagen Neeza concept at the Beijing Motor Show. Looking exactly as we expected it to after seeing the advanced renderings and sketches released earlier this month, VW calls the bright red concept a "cross between a sport coupe and an estate with an off-road appearance." The "sport coupe" part of the description is a total reach. This is a wagon, through and through, regardless of what the PR boilerplate says.
And as wagons go, it's quite fetching -- no surprise, given that Volkswagen already produces a handsome Passat estate. Sitting on what looks like an Audi Allroad-height suspension, the Neeza sports unique fascias that showcase restyled head and taillights while still clearly evoking the aforementioned Passat. Note that the shape of the projector/turn signal assembly inside the reshaped lens up front retains the look of the corporate headlights we see on the automaker's current lineup. The grille incorporates some traditional Chinese window etching design elements, but is actually a throwback in that it doesn't have the full-shield look other VWs have today. If you're wondering where you've seen that familiar-looking thick D-pillar, pull up some shots of the Audi Q7 and wait for the light bulb to appear over your head. In summary, the outside of the car looks quite good, even though you feel like you've seen it all before.
Suicide doors offer a great view into the land-of-make-believe concept cabin with its neat read seats, blue lighting, enormous glass panoramic roof, and all-in-one radio/nav/phone/organizer/etc. control interface.
Fortunately, the car's press release explains that the name Neeza is taken from a mystical historic figure, otherwise we'd have thought it was Chinese for "spiffily restyled Passat with doors that'll never see the light of day."
(More photos, press release after the jump)
[Source: Volkswagen]
VOLKSWAGEN NEEZA CONCEPT:
Click to enlarge
PRESS RELEASE:
SHANGHAI VOLKSWAGEN PRESENTS NEEZA CONCEPT CAR
Shanghai Volkswagen has today revealed the Neeza concept car at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.
The Neeza concept is a crossover between a sports coupé and an estate with an off-road appearance, and has been designed in China for China. The study combines Chinese and German design philosophies, signifying the future of new models from Shanghai Volkswagen. Produced with Chinese culture, tastes and requirements firmly in mind, it is a mix of traditional Chinese and modern European features.
The off-road look of the Neeza concept reflects the versatility of the model. The front of the concept features a grille and bumper design that is typically Volkswagen, yet traditional Chinese window engravings are incorporated into the grille design. The rear looks sporty, yet is also functional.
The Neeza concept offers a large, functional interior for both business and leisure purposes. The design is open with optimal comfort in mind, for example, the front seats swivel so passengers can face each other. Access to rear seating is simplified by rear doors which open towards the rear, while a large panoramic roof provides a bright interior.
The concept intentionally has neither a radio, navigation system nor other form of infotainment equipment. Instead a 'Magic Box' serves as an interface for radio and navigation systems, mobile phone, personal organiser and other devices.
The name Neeza originates from 'Ne-zha', the name of a famous and mystical figure from Chinese history who had magical weapons and fought evil spirits.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RZ 12:52PM (11/18/2006)
Boy yet another wagon. Suddenly everyone is making them.
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Barney 2:02PM (11/18/2006)
I wonder why the practical implementation of suicide doors are not accepted by other manufactures. This is the first VW and station wagon I really like the looks of.. We'll have to wait to see the actual specs to see if "practical" carries through. Flat folding seats and a diesel engine would get it going on the right path. Quite an improvement from the 2dr VW Fox station wagon.
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Andy 2:41PM (11/18/2006)
Not original, but nice. I could see VW making a buck.
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Howard Kerr 3:08PM (11/18/2006)
I agree that the idea of using "suicide" doors seems like a good idea on a wagon. In the past, I've often used my parents station wagon as a substitute for a pickup truck and being able to get a better angle on cargo snuggled up against the back of the front seats sounds great.
And should we really be surprized VW is trying to past this off as a "sporty coupe" ? I mean, with M-B trying to pass off a 4 door SEDAN, albeit with a sloping roof line and smallish rear side windows, as a COUPE...why shouldn't another German car manufacturer try to pass off a station wagon as a coupe?
By the way, not crazy about the blue lit interior, VW. It reminds me too much of that box, lit with ultraviolet lighting, my barber used when I was a child to sterilize his clippers and scissors.
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leo 3:23PM (11/18/2006)
looks like the Passat wagon was on a red meat only diet and got fat
the new headlights and tailights are nice thou and they should replace the current ones with these very soon, as IMO VW is making some ugly cars
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casey 6:34PM (11/18/2006)
Call them whatever you want to , these things are STATION WAGONS.....
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beenthereseenthat 11:49PM (11/18/2006)
Hmmm where have I seen this before?
Oh yea, it was the Benz dealer.
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Neil K 10:39AM (11/19/2006)
Wow, Looks almost like Chrysler Pacifica with suicide doors...*Yawn*
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J 12:46AM (11/24/2006)
Frankly, I think it's quite ugly. But then, what do I know? I also think the Passat wagon is ugly.
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Endre Istvan 12:18PM (12/11/2006)
It is too bad that the "traditional taillights" do not feature clearly visible amber turn signal lamps, as the Buick LaCrosse does. Why try to hide a safety feature and follow a silly trend ?
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