CHICAGO — Volkswagen decided several years back that it couldn't afford to develop and build a modern-day successor to its iconic Microbus. Instead, the Powers That Be in Wolfsburg elected to tap Chrysler for a near-clone of the Town & Country for its U.S. clientele.
Enter the 2009 VW Routan, a seven-passenger minivan that looks like, well, just another minivan. Especially a Chrysler minivan, despite VW's press puffery about how the vehicle features "European sensibilities in design, fit and finish and handling characteristics."
Aside from the VW grille and badging, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the Routan apart from its American cousins from most angles, inside or out.
Under the hood is a familiar Chrysler 3.8-liter V6, rated at 197 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. A 251-hp 4.0-liter is optional.
Among the features are a rear-seat entertainment system, dual power-sliding doors with power windows, touchscreen navigation, power liftgate and — in a definite departure from the European — 13 cupholders.
Further underscoring its European heritage, the Routan will be built in Windsor, Ontario. Prices will start at less than $25,000.
What this means to you: A Routan by any other name still looks like a Chrysler minivan. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Enter the 2009 VW Routan, a seven-passenger minivan that looks like, well, just another minivan. Especially a Chrysler minivan, despite VW's press puffery about how the vehicle features "European sensibilities in design, fit and finish and handling characteristics."
Aside from the VW grille and badging, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the Routan apart from its American cousins from most angles, inside or out.
Under the hood is a familiar Chrysler 3.8-liter V6, rated at 197 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. A 251-hp 4.0-liter is optional.
Among the features are a rear-seat entertainment system, dual power-sliding doors with power windows, touchscreen navigation, power liftgate and — in a definite departure from the European — 13 cupholders.
Further underscoring its European heritage, the Routan will be built in Windsor, Ontario. Prices will start at less than $25,000.
What this means to you: A Routan by any other name still looks like a Chrysler minivan. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »