VW Inches Closer To Badly Needed Crossover

by Derek Kreindler

Published: December 10th, 2014

vw inches closer to badly needed crossover

After throwing enthusiasts a few wagon-shaped bones at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Volkswagen is set to debut the long-roof product that really matters for the auto maker’s American division: a crossover.

A concept version of a future Tennessee-built crossover is set to debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Unlike the high-end Touraeg and the compact Tiguan, the future CUV will be a traditional five and seven seat affair, like a Ford Explorer or a Honda Pilot.

A VW CUV may be anathema to the enthusiast idea of VW as a purveyor of Euro-diesels and GTI hatchbacks, but the CUV represents a way to fill a glaring hole in VW’s American lineup, which is not getting much traction in a constantly-growing American car market.

#Chattanooga #Crossover #Volkswagen

Derek Kreindler

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7 of 77 comments

Jacob_coulter on Dec 10, 2014

I would think if they could reboot the MicroBus, they wouldn't be able to build them fast enough. I've seen a few concept photos, it seems like a pretty low risk play to get buyers that would want that sized vehicle.

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Ryoku75 on Dec 10, 2014

I dunno if VW really needs a third CUV, on the plus side this one will at least be semi-square.

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Gmcd on Dec 11, 2014

Kinda looks like a Journey rebadged by the Beastie Boys.

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Pete Zaitcev on Dec 11, 2014

Seeing how this is a U.S.-only model, I'm a little concerned that they learned a wrong lesson with the whole Enworsened Passat for Fat and Stupid Americans program. If this vehicle is decontented all to heck and lasts 100 thousand miles before falling apart, it's not going to help their image at all.

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- VtecJustKickedInYo on Dec 11, 2014
  
  It sucks because the euro passat/jetta are noticeably better. It just attracts a car buyer who are only interested in a cheap car instead of a good car. Once again good does not mean reliable :P but depends on how often you service it. I am mad at VW because they could have an unreliable car, which I am okay with and will accept, but they now also have a cheap feeling car, which I am not okay with. It basically eliminates buyers who are enthusiastic about the brand. MK5 jetta feels premium while MK6 Murica Spec feels like it was built buy toyota. So why not buy a toyota and have the perk of extra reliability? Makes no sense.
  
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- John Williams on Dec 11, 2014
  
  @vtecJustKickedInYo "Makes no sense" seems to be VWofA's M.O. The simplest thing for VW to do would have been to strive for Toyota-like reliability while keeping their current offerings as premium as possible without stepping on Audi's impeccably-polished wingtips. I suppose that would had shaken the myth of Germanic infallibility when it came to mechanics and engineering. German marques can be arrogant that way. So instead, VW cheapened nearly every vehicle in its lineup in a bid to win over American customers on price. Because what image-conscious American doesn't love the opportunity to own a German nameplate for pennies on the dollar?
  
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- VtecJustKickedInYo on Dec 11, 2014
  
  @John Williams I still dont understand why they did it because it costs money to redesign parts to decontent a model. I see plenty of mk5 jettas and B6 passats. People that should have bought a camry are now driving them and wont realized how screwed they will be when service time comes because they bought a cheap car made from not so cheap parts relative to the price point.
  
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