WOLFSBURG, Germany — Two spiritual heirs to the Volkswagen Microbus, the new VW Caravelle "people carrier" and a California camper van, will make their debuts together at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Along with them will be the new lineup of Transporter commercial vehicles.
The Caravelle and California aren't coming to the U.S., Volkswagen of America spokesman Steve Keyes told Inside Line. "Our seven-passenger van is the Routan," Keyes explained.
The Caravelle and California get a group of four common-rail diesel four-cylinder engines that make 83-178 horsepower, mated to a new seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. Later in 2010, some models will be available with VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with fourth-generation Haldex coupling.
ESP with hill-start assist, emergency brake light function and VW's new Side Assist lane change system that debuted on the Touareg are all featured on the new vans.
Cosmetically, the two passenger vans get a new front-end design that resembles the front end of the new Polo and Golf, along with new rear light clusters, door mirrors and chrome side trim. Interior changes include a three-spoke steering wheel, a USB interface and a touchscreen navigation system.
The Transporter vans have sold a million copies worldwide since their 2003 introduction and are VW's top-selling model in the U.K. and around the world. The new lineup includes the same front-end upgrade and interior details as on the Caravelle and California, and the same group of four-cylinder common-rail diesel engines.
All of the new models will arrive in VW's Van Centre showrooms in January. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, VW says. None are coming to the U.S.
Inside Line says: Nobody does a van like Volkswagen. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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cincycubfan23 says:
08:29 PM, 11/18/2009
Steve Keyes, I hope you're listening!!!
I'm a repeat VW owner/lessor who agrees thoroughly with Garanimal: Please end this Routan nonsense. Now.
After our first child arrived, we (wistfully) traded our Passat wagon for an '07 Odyssey because we needed more space and utility, and VW had no minivan offering. Sadly, there is *still* no real VW minivan offering, as a Dodge is a Dodge is a Dodge...I've looked at Routan when at my dealership getting my Jetta serviced, and I'm not impressed (materials not on par with either our Jetta or Odyssey). I expect more, and I think most VW drivers do. For such a marketing-savvy company, this is really a surprising miss.
At first blush, I would consider the Caravelle, especially if it had a clean diesel beneath the hood. Or give us something based on the NMS platform - anything other than a warmed-over Caravan.
garanimal says:
07:50 PM, 10/08/2009
Dear Mr.Keys,
The Routan is a Chrysler product. Low end quality. High end junk.