Despite what the truck in these photos looks like, it is not a Toyota Hilux rebadged by Volkswagen. No, according to The Car Connection, it's a Toyota Hilux body atop Volkswagen's upcoming Robust pickup. And before you VW fans get too excited, it is not intended for sale in the States. But truck shoppers in South America and Africa will be able to choose between a V6 or common rail diesel in both 2WD and 4WD versions. Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
GTX141 @ Feb 20th 2008 11:49AM
As cool as it would be to have a German pick-up in the States, it probably wouldn't sell at all.
Andrew DeBellis @ Feb 20th 2008 12:12PM
did you even read the 3 sentences? they will not be on sale in the states.
Brill @ Feb 20th 2008 12:26PM
Andrew DeBellis
Did you even read what he said "as cool as it would be" i didnt take that as he thought it'd be sold here
Mehul @ Feb 20th 2008 12:05PM
Its probably just me but I think it looks a little like the TATA TL Sprint.
Check it out: http://www.italiaspeed.com/2006/cars/fiat/12/tata_tl_sprint/2612.html
Mehul @ Feb 20th 2008 12:13PM
NVM.. Did not read the Toyota Hilux part
ford_for_road @ Feb 20th 2008 12:20PM
It is Hailux To Me !!!!!!!!!! Not "VW"
ford_for_road @ Feb 20th 2008 12:24PM
Mehul ........... Your Not Alone Me to
Skip the Hailux Part...........
GTX141 @ Feb 20th 2008 12:32PM
@Andrew DeBellis
yeah, i did jakoff. I passed 3rd grade, unlike you apparently. I said it "would" be cool, as in, it would be cool if the DID sell it.
I'll try to be more exact for you in the future.
Hamud @ Feb 20th 2008 12:44PM
That's a Hilux to me, the taped logo on the front has an oval shape, not a round one.
Johnnie Flea @ Feb 20th 2008 1:24PM
Why would anyone want a fuel efficient, light duty, mid-sized diesel pickup in the States?
Shaun C @ Feb 20th 2008 1:36PM
This is a Hilux body on a different chassis, i should know I work on Hilux's almost every day. this looks like a rised body Hilux but only has 5 wheel studs where it should have 6 and when on earth does a Toyota look like a Tata. hope this thing comes to South Africa it could out sell Toyota.
Ramiro BA @ Feb 20th 2008 1:39PM
For south america, It'll be built in Pacheco's plant, in Argentina. (The Hilux is built in Argentina too)
Ramiro BA @ Feb 20th 2008 1:44PM
Usualy, modern Argentinians pick-ups are sold Diesel only...
the Ranger and Hilux have 3.0 diesel with around 140+ HP.
(Maybe petrol ones are produced for export only...I 'm not sure... but this country never made a V6 engine car or truck)
Mattias @ Feb 20th 2008 2:05PM
Volkswagen already confirmed that this pickup starts production in 2010 (maybe even late 2009) in Argentina. It shares many parts with the Crafter series, a RWD light duty vehicle on sale nearly everywhere except in the US (some kind of step sister to the Dodge sprinter since it shares many mechanical parts).
The engine choice will most likely consist of the chain driven I5 TDI engines in its various options (starting from turbo, intercooled turbo up to intercooled VGT turbo with around 170hp). There might be an entry level I4 TDI and there might be the old indirect injected 90° Audi V6 gas that can be produced in the RSA plant (South Africa traditionally is not as diesel oriented as other states).
Guenther @ Feb 20th 2008 3:24PM
That is a seriously wide track on that thing- the wheels stick out a good bit past the Toyota fenders. the front crossmember is significantly different from the Toyota.
ccweems @ Feb 20th 2008 3:32PM
And why should VW try to sell pickup trucks in the US? It's only the largest market in the world for such trucks.
There have been steady complaints in this blog about the loss of a truly small pickup for the US market. As a truck it falls under different safety and emission rules. It is produced in a 3rd world country. So why should VW try to sell it here?
It's too cheap?
It's too easy to federalize?
They would sell too many of them?
I'm sure VOA has made an air tight case against it and is satisfied with its glorious entry in the minivan market. To call them idiots would insult those truly worth of such moniker.
phaeton @ Feb 20th 2008 4:24PM
Robust or RPU (Robust Pick Up) as its internally known by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles the brand developing this vehicle is aimed at Europe, African, Asia, Oceania and South American regions.
It will borrow from the Crafter the new 2.5 TDI common rail diesels.
VWCV Australia's boss Phil Clark also requested that a Cab Chassis program be implemented into RPU.
It is unknown at this stage whether VWCV are doing this.
Also in South America a rumour broke that a Hilux Surf like vehicle may be produced on the same platform and is either codenamed or to be called 'Namib'.
Xcountryflyer @ Feb 20th 2008 4:34PM
Someone at VW should give it a new name. What happened to the days of interesting VW names that had flair like Corrado, Scirocco, etc.
Tony C @ Feb 20th 2008 8:57PM
So is that what auto manufacturers are going to do now...? Disguise their pre-production mules beneath the skins of competitor's vehicle bodies? That'll throw the spy photo guys for a loop!
Mattias @ Feb 21st 2008 1:09AM
This has a long tradition. Porsche tested the Panamera under various bodies. And even back in the 1970s they hided the 928s underpinning under a Mercedes Benz SL body.