Dodge-based VW minivan caught on dealer TV - too little, too late?
After teasing fans with a modern interpretation of the classic Type 2 micro-bus a few years ago, Volkswagen decided it wasn't an economically viable project. It ultimately decided to strike a deal with DaimlerChrysler to use the Caravan/Town and Country minivan platform as the basis for a VW van. Unfortunately for VW, the minivan market is shrinking as they finally get their own unit to market.
A poster on the VWVortex forums has reportedly caught the first image of the new Chrysler-based VW van on a VW dealer TV screen and had his camera phone ready. No one should be surprised that from the rear quarter angle it looks like a 2008 Dodge Caravan with Touareg taillights. The question remains whether or not by the time it appears in VW dealerships in the summer of 2008, will anyone still care?
In addition to the new van, the dealer TV system also gave timing for some other new products, most of which we already know about. VW had previously confirmed that the Jetta TDI and Tiguan were coming in the first half of 2008 and the Touareg diesel was coming in the fall of 2008. What hadn't been confirmed previously was the Passat coupe also coming in the fall of 2008.
Thanks for the tip, Matt!
[Source: VW Vortex forums]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brian Dreggors 4:35PM (7/12/2007)
LOL. The same company that brought us the Phaeton and the overengineered Touareg tells us the Microbus is not 'economically viable.' Whatever. If you're not going to bring your concept to life, don't bother. There is no reason anyone to choose a VW minivan, especially when the same thing is available at Dodge for a very, very good price. A Microbus incarnation has instant potential; this doesn't.
And when I bring to Touareg into this, aside from the stupid name, its a wonderfully-capable SUV in a market when no one who buys one will ever use it as such. VW could've built something directly off the Passat architecture and it would sell just as well.
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Michael Bakshi 4:37PM (7/12/2007)
So it's going to be a rebadged Dodge Caravan marked up 25-30% as a VW.
Hopefully VW will incorporate one of their features in it for a little originality.
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Alex 5:01PM (7/12/2007)
As long as none of the crap 3.3, 3.8 and semicrap 4.0 engines are in there this van can have a chance.
Maybe offer it with the 4.0 in base version and the 3.6 passat engine in the highend version, then maybe people will buy it.
Also dont price it too high!
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BC 4:54PM (7/12/2007)
If its a diesel that would make things interesting.
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Silver 5:22PM (7/12/2007)
VW, you lost me at "Chrysler."
I was so looking forward to a new Microbus - or at least a thoroughly-modernized Eurovan (Westfalia would be great too), but I guess it's not to be. Now we're just getting a lame rebadged American minivan. Zzzz.
Guess I won't have to sell my Pilot.
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wally 6:38PM (7/12/2007)
You were thinking of selling your SUV (Pilot) for mini-van?
James_604 5:27PM (7/12/2007)
You have got to be joking. Did Mercedez have anything to do with the 08' Caravan, or is it just a facelift? If it's the later, this van will not have the solid closing door *clunk* of other VW products......*sigh* I predict this vehicle to be underpowered and over priced....yet made in...Canada?
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James_604 5:36PM (7/12/2007)
You have got to be kidding me! First off, is the 08' Caravan a facelift off the 07' platform or is it all-new? If it is the later, Did Mercedez have a hand in its engineerign design? If not, the doors will close with the solid thump found on european cars....And what about the engine and transmission? Entry level 2.5L VW 4cyl with a base price $3,000 more? Also, will this be Canadian contructed? I beleive all the Caravans are currently am i wrong?
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mike castawave 6:29PM (7/12/2007)
ewww!!!! GROSS! I agree if it were to be a diesel that might make things interesting. Also if it were developed by Mercedes - who developed their fantastic Dodge SPRINTER in conjunction with VW. that would be rad. A mini sprinter would be okay. But it's just not the same. Also the closest thing to a new WESTFALIA is the dodge sprinter Airstream Westfalia - check out airstreams' site to see it. I believe a few years ago VW and Westfalia Co parted ways and are no longer collaborating. VW should just bring the current Eurovan or whatever multivan they have over- not this Sharan type deal that no one cares about. Also, they can forget the Tiguan and Touareg. No one cares about those. Bring us a 4wd diesel smallish van and i'll be all over it!!
mike
1971 VW Riviera Bus
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nagmashot 8:11PM (7/12/2007)
Sorry guys... the car in that Dodge picture is a sold since years VW Touran with redesigned rear light... there is nothing Dodge at it.. or perhaps Dodge sells the VW Touran as a Dodge..
VW Touran
http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms_publish/etc/medialib/vwcms/virtualmaster/de/Models/touran/stage/gallery.Par.0003.Image.jpg
http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms_publish/etc/medialib/vwcms/virtualmaster/de/Models/touran/stage/gallery.Par.0006.Image.jpg
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Sanfam 2:24AM (7/13/2007)
I beg to differ. Note that the door in the recent shot is of the sliding variety. Also note that the vehicle is longer and that the windows are of a slightly different cut.
nagmashot 2:45AM (7/13/2007)
who cares...?
VW has currently 3 vans in production, mini van the Touran with up to 170hp, the Sharan as mid size van with 204hp and as large van the Multivan with 3.2 V6 or 2.5 diesel.. and if that isn´t large eough they have the Crafter
http://www.vw-nutzfahrzeuge.de/crafter/art/subvisual/crafter_sitzvarianten.jpg
that should be more than enough room...
BTW the Dodge Sprinter is a co development from VW and Mercedes.. VW sells it as Crafter Mercedes as Sprinter.. since 1996 VW and Mercedes develop the transport together.. first generation was called VW LT or Mercedes Sprinter... the same vehicle later become the Dodge Sprinter
George Krpan 8:31PM (7/12/2007)
VW really blew it by not following up with a New Bus.
C'mon VW, it doesn't have to be fancy.
Rubber floormats, vinyl seats, wind up windows, underpowered engine, fine, I'll take one.
What we're looking for is the spirit of the original micro bus.
Scion achieved that with the original xB but now they've screwed that up too.
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iQuack 12:00AM (7/13/2007)
So, is this combination of VW's name on a Dodge van another merger of equals or merger of substandards?
At least it's possible to ignore 2 lousy brands by NOT buying only one vehicle.
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Nellydesign 9:04AM (7/13/2007)
Here's hoping it hasd a VW interior and not a Chrysler one...
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66coronet 4:07PM (7/13/2007)
http://www.allpar.com/model/m/2008-minivans.html talks about the 2008 caravan and the new folding table option. Making it more VW like. As for caravan crd. That will probably not be untill 2010 or 2011 using the new MB 2.2Lcrd om651 170hp 295lb-ft http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/05/chrysler-considering-diesel-minivan-for-us-market/
http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms_publish/etc/medialib/vwcms/virtualmaster/de/Models/touran/stage/gallery.Par.0006.Image.jpg sure doesn't look anything like the picture given above.
http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms_publish/etc/medialib/vwcms/virtualmaster/de/Models/touran/stage/gallery.Par.0003.Image.jpg looks like it will fit right in with the rest of the VW line up.
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66coronet 4:25PM (7/13/2007)
http://paultan.org/archives/2006/11/15/new-2007-volkswagen-touran/
Sorry, I didn't realize it was touran pictures. No wonder it looked different.
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66coronet 5:00PM (7/13/2007)
http://www.volkswatch.com/vwnews/2007vwnews/chryslerminivan.asp
http://www.volkswatch.com/vwnews/jan52006.asp
http://www.hvwc.org/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=369&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
http://vwgazette.blogspot.com/2006/01/new-volkswagen-minivan-to-feature.html
http://minivans.about.com/b/a/000080.htm
http://minivans.about.com/b/a/000111.htm LA Auto Show or the Detroit Auto Show, in November 2007
Other articles on the VW dodge van.
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L.L. 1:52PM (7/15/2007)
VW has a rep for not producing reliable cars right? So, what soccer mom would pass an american dodge caravan to get a vw minivan that will leave her and her kids stranded and make them miss many soccer games. I mean really!! VW should spend some time making thier cars more realiable for a while instead of trying to make more unreliable cars that will eventually be traded for american cars later on.
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RJA2000 1:38AM (9/24/2007)
Since VW has some of the best interiors and Chrysler makes the best minivans as long as VW uses their own interiors it should be outstanding. I might even buy one in 10 years to replace the Dodge Grand Caravan that is going to replace my Plymouth Grand Voyager.
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