VIDEO: VW Pickup concept to the rescue!
Click above for a hi-res gallery. Follow the jump for the vid.
If automaker-produced kitesurfer-in-distress videos are your thing, VW's got your back. While you wait for the production version of the Concept Pickup the automaker unveiled back in September, how about checking out VW's promo film starring the truck, a pair of lifeguards, and yes, a kitesurfer in distress. Will the guys use the in-dash GPS? Yes! Will we see the pickup drive semi-urgently through sand? Yes! Will she make it? Duh! Will we have a demonstration of how well a collapsed kite fits in the bed? Yes again! Am I alone in thinking it's weird that the lifeguards dive into the water wearing helmets? Anyone? In all, a serviceable vanity film for the pickup. Needs more yellow, though. And Hoff. The video's embedded after the jump.
Gallery: Volkswagen Concept Pickup
[Source: VW via GlobalMotors.net]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Red 5:39PM (11/29/2008)
I looked quickly and thought it was a Honda Ridgeline. Then I looked again and everything was easier on the eyes.
Is this equipped with the 2.0T out of curiosity?
Reply
Jeff Banks 9:16PM (11/29/2008)
Yeah, I thought so too. I don't know why designers think that the public is clamoring for a pickup with a bed surrounded by a bunch of cosmetic plastic cladding. Thereby making it inaccessible and less useful at the same time. (see Avalanche, Ridgeline, + lots of concepts)
Doesn't look too bad otherwise. I don't understand why they are trying to compete in the (actually quite large) "compact" truck market and targeting "hip young active lifestyle" types. I think Nissan and Toyota already have a lock on the extreme poseur athlete set.
Dan 9:52AM (11/30/2008)
I think it's much better looking then the Ridgeline. Actually not bad looking at all. And it's about time VW challenges Toyota, Nissan and the other japanese manufacturers in the mid size 4 door pickup area. If they can keep the price reasonable, I would absolutely buy one. Finally VW enters the segment!
zamafir 1:11PM (11/30/2008)
@Dan
VW has no intention of bringing this to North America right now, or in the near future.
CarbonBlack 5:43PM (11/29/2008)
The video could have had a much better ending ;-)
Reply
The Luigiian 5:47PM (11/29/2008)
Um... interesting video. Well, it doesn't show towing or hauling capabilities, but it does show some neat features. The interior has nice big buttons, the bed's got all those cool compartments and it looks really good all around. America won't get it, but I'd buy it if it came over here.
I still hope against hope that when Toyota builds the A-BAT concept, it'll look like this. Especially the interior. It's nice and simple in this truck.
Reply
Mobius_1 5:50PM (11/29/2008)
What you need in this situation is a Toybota!
And all concepts looks damn good, but then they get made and some look bland as hell...
Reply
cpowell 6:21PM (11/29/2008)
I'd sport a Toybota. Heck ya!
Adam 5:50PM (11/29/2008)
One of those life guards is a really fast swimmer.
Reply
happy_penguin 6:09PM (11/29/2008)
LOL Ridgeline!
Reply
OOMPH! 6:30PM (11/29/2008)
Super Prischtenwagen!!!! nice..lifeguards are hotties too!! i love big feet.
Das Auto
Reply
f3rg 6:38PM (11/29/2008)
I'd buy it.
Reply
big L 11:11PM (11/29/2008)
suburu baja, anyone?
Reply
Alex 7:26PM (11/29/2008)
Times are tough, lets make a video!!! Yeah!
Reply
Quattrofan 2:59PM (11/30/2008)
...and a lame one at that. A stranded, what looks like a 10 y /o kitesurfer in the ocean without a puff of wind. Suuuure! And those gay orange helmets on lifeguards. What poofter metrosexual market is this ad for?
retsel 7:48PM (11/29/2008)
I would that a ford F150 Raptor... or a plain F150 with the off road pack and sync...
Also... they are apart of team 69 hahahahahahahahahah
Reply
Bob 9:21PM (11/29/2008)
I laughed at this because most of the lifeguards in SoCal have driven (moderately rusty) Ford Ranchers around for as long as I can remember.
Reply
JTB 11:48PM (11/29/2008)
Reminds me of the Asian Market Ford Ranger.
Reply
Smegley 9:47AM (11/30/2008)
Looks to me like a japanese jetski did all the tough work, but it's good to know that a VW pick-up is at least built tough enough to carry a blanket.
Sheesh, these guys could have been driving almost any car on the market and done the same thing. German engineering ist sehhhhhhr übertrieben.
Reply
OOMPH! 11:04AM (11/30/2008)
christ! its a video!! if u want to see the truck float and fly and climb mt fujiama,go rent Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for god sakes!
Das annoyed Auto
Reply