NAIAS: Volkswagen Seven-Seater Crossover Leaked

[ne_one]

Volkswagen Seven-Seater Crossover Leaked
AutoGuide
January 12, 2013
by Colum Wood

A lone sketch has leaked out ahead of the North American International Auto Show, revealing the next step in Volkswagen’s carefully planned growth strategy in America.

After expanding its market share considerably with new Passat and Jetta models designed specifically for the U.S., the German automaker is now planning a seven-seat crossover to rival the likes of the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Highlander. This new three-row machine hits a popular segment that Volkswagen is currently not competing in.

While larger than the Touareg, the new 7-passeger crossover is expected to be priced well below that premium-level SUV, and be competitive with segment rivals.

Set to bow in Detroit on Monday, the new model will likely appear as a concept car rather than a production model, something the sketch hints at, especially with the crossover’s oversized wheels.

[nruggiero]

I really don't understand why the Touareg is priced so high. It's a VW. What makes it special? I don't even see that many on the road compared to the amount X5s and MLs I see.

[dslay04]

Looks interesting. I wonder if it's MQB based or MLB based

[footney]

It looks like a Dodge Durango.

[Mr. Burns]

Looks interesting. I wonder if it's MQB based or MLB based

It will be MQB based.

[free_energy0]

This will be a (another) printing press for them.

[PHAT-JAY]

the proportions look great, hope the stay looking that way on the real concept. Thats what the Trailblazer should look like.

[96RIV]

Oh man, that is a sharp looking suv. Reminds me a lot of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, very sleek.

[cdp326]

I'm really intrigued by this, if just to see pricing and engine lineup. Diesel? VR6/DSG? 2.0T? We'll see soon.

I expect this to be popular, they haven't really had a mainstream utility vehicle. The Tiguan is the only SUV/CUV they have that's affordable, but it's smaller than most of the competitors so it isn't seen in the same market as the popular other small crossovers.

I really don't understand why the Touareg is priced so high. It's a VW. What makes it special? I don't even see that many on the road compared to the amount X5s and MLs I see.

It's supposed to be a more premium/better-appointed model, with off-road technologies. Consider it in the context of the time it was introduced and it gives a little better perspective, when VWs were pushing higher in price and they had also introduced the Phaeton. Nice vehicles but expensive to the point you're at luxury badge pricing.

[V8GMT360 Guy]

I really don't understand why the Touareg is priced so high. It's a VW. What makes it special? I don't even see that many on the road compared to the amount X5s and MLs I see.

It used to be more special with the V10 TDI.... now that they aren't even using that anymore, I don't get it either.

[chinamonty]

I really don't understand why the Touareg is priced so high. It's a VW. What makes it special? I don't even see that many on the road compared to the amount X5s and MLs I see.

Doesn't the Touareg use a Porsche Cayenne platform and some parts. That would probably drive the cost up a little.

[sfbreh]

Sucks. Next?

[oneseconddotcon]

I really don't understand why the Touareg is priced so high. It's a VW. What makes it special? I don't even see that many on the road compared to the amount X5s and MLs I see.

It's basically a Porsche Cayenne/ Audi Q7 under the skin, and even use some of the same engines. So I guess you could say why are the other two so expensive compared to the Touareg.

[buick739]

Too late, just like the full size SUV's. GM owns the market.

[jdsfrm]

This?

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/30/s...el-tug-of-war/