Spy Shots: VW "Robust" pickup
The Volkswagen pickup codenamed "Robust" has been caught testing again, this time in the U.S. They aren't too different from these spy shots, both sets showing that VW is not going for any kind of flash with its newest pickup. At one point, the regular cab version was speculated to have buttresses, but we'd be surprised if there was that much difference between it and the dual cab. This hauler is about nothing other than good, solid -- and probably cheap -- transportation. Even the name "Robust" will be changed by the time it's introduced, probably to something like Plain White Pickup. Thanks for the tip, Gavin![Source: Wheels24]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mike 8:45AM (7/25/2008)
So Rick Wagoner now runs two companies? This seems like a move only he'd aprove.
VW has this almost luxury, sporty image, they do not need a truck. VW must appeal to young guys and gals who like looking cool (because nothing else can justify buying a VW). A pick up truck will be driven by people who shop at Costco and need all that space for food and whatever else they can get at Costo or Home Depot or Sears.
VW needs to stick to their young, hip, urban image.
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G-Meister 9:24AM (7/25/2008)
wow are you clueless- This truck is intended for the South American market. VW is neither hip, nor flashy there. Most of their cars are white with gray plastic bumpers. They're known to be sturdy and dependable, just what you want in a truck.
Bill 10:01AM (7/25/2008)
"A pick up truck will be driven by people who shop at Costco and need all that space for food and whatever else they can get at Costo or Home Depot or Sears."
Like current VW owners?
The Luigiian 1:34PM (7/25/2008)
"A pick up truck will be driven by people who shop at Costco and need all that space for food and whatever else they can get at Costo or Home Depot or Sears."
Was this comment really necessary, Mike?
Rich Spiess 5:47PM (7/25/2008)
Mike get real, man. I bought my wife Passat Turbo Wagon not because of it's "FLASH" or "coolness" but find another car for under 27,000 that, that get 34mpg on the highway(27-28mpg combined), can go 0-60 in under 7 seconds, it made in Germany and can fit my 2 Golden Retrievers in back. We never take our truck (2007 F-150), or SUV (Escape Hybrid) anywhere anymore. We get within a mile or 2 in MPG compared to the Escape Hybrid. and over double the MPG in the F-150. I drive the Passat every chance it is a pure joy to drive. It's quiet, fast, comfortable and looks great.
2 of my friends each traded their Acura TL and Volvo S60 for one after the took a ride in it. Don't knock it till you try it. Drive one and you will understand. If i wasn't going to get such a poor trade in value for our F-150, I would trade in, in a second for another Passat, or a VW Robust TDI 4 door pickup. I am longing for the day another nice small pickup comes along. (No the Ranger doesn't count)
It must be a tough life being ignorant and clueless.
imoore 8:52AM (7/25/2008)
I know everyone will keep saying this is a bad time for pickups, but I'm still willing to say that VW will sell this truck here in the States. The compact truck market is wide open right now, and with Mahindra coming in and Ford possibly giving the Ranger a second thought, I beleive VW will find a way to sell its truck here.
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imoore 8:53AM (7/25/2008)
I know everyone will keep saying this is a bad time for pickups, but I'm still willing to say that VW will sell this truck here in the States. The compact truck market is wide open right now, and with Mahindra coming in and Ford possibly giving the Ranger a second thought, I beleive VW will find a way to sell its truck here.
I apologize if this posts repeats itself. I don't think it went through the first time.
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MajorGeek 9:53AM (7/25/2008)
Your correct, there is always a market for pickup trucks, I know plenty of guys who would drive nothing else. Towing, hauling and off roading. I am one of them.
TMC 10:49AM (7/25/2008)
Yes yes yes. Offer this pickup in the USA, with the new CRD, and they have an instant winner IMO.
All one has to do is look at fleet Sprinter sales to see there is a viable market here for such vehicles, at least commercially.
Although I have to imagine that quite a few retail owners would love to have something like that.
If I needed a new truck right now, the only thing I would consider is a Ranger/B series. Everything else is bloated crap.
The Luigiian 1:41PM (7/25/2008)
The only problem with the VW coming to the United States is in its size.
If it's tiny (i.e. Ford Ranger sized) VW needs to bring it here.
If it's big (i.e. Toyota Tacoma sized) we already have too many midsized trucks.
If it's a gas guzzler (i.e. less than 19 mpg on petrol) it won't sell.
I'm reserving judgment until I hear the dimensions and weight on this thing.
garth 9:02AM (7/25/2008)
D..oh! bright move VW.
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mikomi 8:59AM (7/25/2008)
In the past, VW has sold rebadged Toyota Hilux. That said, the lines and proportions of this pickup bear a very strong resemblance to the current Hilux. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a rebadged Toyota.
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Joshua 9:05AM (7/25/2008)
vw not going for flash? ...but then who would buy it? isn't that the whole point of buying a vw?
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Ken Stamper 3:21PM (7/25/2008)
Yes, nothing says "flash" like a Rabbit with steel wheels.
ahkmel foley 9:05AM (7/25/2008)
Why doesn't Toyota just bring the Hilux to NA. Why do we have to have a VW chassis with a Hilux body on top of it?
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carbuzzard.com 10:47AM (7/25/2008)
They haven't repealed the 25% "chicken tax," have they? Having a 25% tariff on imported trucks will slow sales just a bit.
Avinash machado 9:15AM (7/25/2008)
Will it be a Diesel? If so it might steal a few customers from the Ranger.
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snakesausage 9:34AM (7/25/2008)
Would adding a TDI truck, that would for sure beat the new 27MPG CAFE standard, help them to comply on their other products?
I for one would love to have an AWD TDI DSG truck that gets around 30 MPG highway (already own a Jetta TDI wagon). The main problem is if it is from VW I will not be able to afford it.
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mk 10:07AM (7/25/2008)
I agree, I would like to see a similar vehicle.
TDI engine, yes. Torque is good for a truck, no need for "sport".
AWD: Yes. More versatile than 4x4, and this is a utility, not a rock crawler.
DSG... not so much on a truck. Great for cars, and amazing new tech, but a more 'robust' standard 5-speed stick or 5-speed hydro-matic would be fine, and easier to maintain. I would hate to break a DSG when hauling something... that would be an expensive repair.
A good size cargo box for standard stuff, and a class 3 hitch, good brakes and properly heat-managed driveline (trans, diff, and engine oil coolers, large capacity engine sump)
A well built body and interior, no fancy gizmos and gadgets, just 'robust' steel panels, water tolerant and stain-resistant cloth upholstered seats, and a rubber floor cover at least optional, if not standard. (people can always put carpeted mats in... Rubber is easier to wash out when messy.)
Make this a sturdy little utility, and I think people might go for it.
Ranger is ancient, no V8 and no Diesel option, and relatively marginal efficiency with a V6. Agricultural 4x4 system, rather than an AWD with low range option.
The Colorado/Cheyenne look like toys that are more stylish than utilitarian, and weak at both. Much less dedicated to being utilitarian than the full size, but not everyone wants or needs full size.
The ridgeline is a decent concept, but odd on execution, and almost tries too hard to be a car, and is heavier and more expensive for it. Again, no diesel or V8 option, so the V6 gets run a bit harder to apply torque.
Nobody makes a little truck to run errands with. They all seem to think that trucks need to replace cars as main family transportation over long distances, and they get built to be a compromise between a car inside, and a truck outside. A true utility would be a truck inside and out, while being easy and pleasant to use without needing to be cushy-comfortable with leather seats, and all.
G-Meister 9:31AM (7/25/2008)
Their development mules have worn HiLux bodies. This too looks to be one of those. Then again, VW has sold truck cabs to MAN and Mack in the past, It's conceivable they're buying a dated cab to join with their new chassis. or not...
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