After the Routan minivan, VW considers ‘Robust’ pickup

While Volkswagen finally decided to offer the U.S. a minivan, they don’t have any plans of pulling a Toyota Tundra out of their bag anytime soon to take on the Big 3 dominated pickup segment. However, a test mule for what’s being called Volkswagen’s ‘Robust’ pickup truck has been spotted testing in Scandinavia.

Unlike the Routan, Volkswagen will not be looking to another automaker for help with the Robust. The German giant once teamed up with Toyota to offer the Taro, but this time it will go at it alone.

Robust will be offered in a number of variants including single cab and double cab with four-wheel-drive and a cheaper...
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Willis - 2/27/2008 1:00:16 PM

+3 Boost

Now that's an old photoshopped picture but it still looks nice. Give it the new Touareg headlights and we're talking.

Bmw8ter - 2/27/2008 1:16:28 PM

+1 Boost

I remember, about 3 or 4 years ago(maybe even longer), seeing concept drawings of a beetle/truck that was expected to have 300-350hp.

Shredmo - 2/27/2008 2:04:55 PM

0 Boost

I'd guess middle America will be welcome this in same manner the Honda Ridgeline has been welcomed. If a good diesel is readily available (unlike the availability of Touareg's V10), it will stand a reasonable chance. IMO, Toyota currently has the mid-size truck market cornered with the best product overall (Tacoma).

Shredmo - 2/27/2008 3:57:26 PM

+1 Boost

Spellcheck,
Just out of curiosity, in your opinion, what other mid-size truck that is currently available doesn't suck/blow?
I can't think of one. Tacoma may blow, but I still feel it is the best in that segment.

Shredmo - 2/28/2008 9:29:42 AM

+1 Boost

Spellchecker,
The F-series is a full size truck similar to the Ram, Tundra, Silverado and Sierra. The Ranger is compact, only similar to the Mazda B series. The Tacoma is a mid-size truck. Other mid-size trucks in it's class include, but are not limited to:
Dakota, Raider, Canyon, Colorado, Frontier, etc.

Shredmo - 2/28/2008 9:38:53 AM

+1 Boost

When I compared the Tacoma, I was thinking of a current generation, not the 2004 or older model. Also, i should have added the Titan ans a competitor to the F-series as Whelan has already stated.

Whelan - 2/27/2008 2:15:27 PM

+1 Boost

So all those pretty boys who would like to be like their other friends and own a Titan, can now get a smaller girly man truck with the VW, hahaha!

S4cabriofoxone - 2/27/2008 10:05:02 PM

+1 Boost

Ford Ranger?

DieselRules - 2/29/2008 2:12:13 AM

+1 Boost

That photo at the top is the AAC concept which was the first VW with the v10-TDI engine, and also seems to be the inspiration for some newer vehicles (from other makes, of course).

The photo (above) is a mirrored version of this one:
http://www.conceptcar.co.uk/concept-cars/concept-car-38.php

Clueless sites like USA today reported back in 2004 that VW planned to venture into trucks, not realizing that they build piles of trucks, are one of the largest makers of Semis and busses in South America, and build trucks for Mercedes (including the Sprinter van, which was the VW LT).