Life’s a beach for VW’s Pickup
Wed, October 01 2008
The concept vehicle was designed as a search and rescue (SAR) vehicle to suit lifeguards’ needs. This all-wheel drive pickup was conceptualized following consultation with emergency services as well as in-house emergency vehicle specialists.
The concept measures 5.18 metres in length and is 1.9 metres wide. Compared to a Chevrolet Avalanche, which measures 5.62 metres in length and is two metres wide, the concept is shorter but almost as wide. The SAR has four doors and four seats and is designed for recreational or business use.
The new one-tonne pickup however will go into production at the end of 2009. It will be built at Volkswagen’s Pacheco plant in Argentina to be introduced initially to markets in Europe, South America, South Africa and Australia.
Prototypes of this vehicle were spotted on several occasions in the U.S. by our contributor, Brenda Priddy while being tested in Arizona. Sources suggest it could eventually make its way to the North American market, where it could be known as the Robust.
This vehicle will use new common rail turbodiesel engines to provide ample power and low fuel consumption. The VW Pickup is the first commercial vehicle to be designed under the direction of Walter de’Silva, VW’s design chief.
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