Volkswagen Routan

Infobox Automobile


name = Volkswagen Routan
manufacturer = Chrysler LLC
parent_company = Volkswagen Group
production = 2008 [ [http://www.vw.com/routan/en/us/ official Routan Minisite] ] –present
class = Minivan
predecessor = Volkswagen Eurovan
body_style = 4-door minivan
platform = Chrysler RT platform
engine = 3.8L V6
4.0L V6
transmission = 6-speed automatic
wheelbase = Auto in|121.2|0
length = Auto in|202.5|0
width = Auto in|76.9|0
height = Auto in|68.9|0
layout = FF layout
related = Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand Caravan
assembly = Windsor, Ontario, Canada

The Volkswagen Routan is a seven-seat minivan, developed specifically for the North American market, that hit showroom floors in September 2008.

Volkswagen and Chrysler created the partnership in 2005, [ [http://www.volkswagen-media-services.com/medias_publish/ms/content/en/pressemitteilungen/2006/01/05/daimlerchrysler_and.standard.gid-oeffentlichkeit.html VW Media Services ] ] as VW, who has set a goal of tripling its U.S. sales by 2018, had no minivan aimed at the United States and Canadian market. VW determined that the Volkswagen Sharan, though already sold in Mexico and South America, was not suitable for the specialized U.S. market, but that designing, building, and importing a new vehicle from Europe would have been too expensive for a maker like VW, who already struggle for their share of in the American market. They therefore formed a partnership with Chrysler Group, then part of DaimlerChrysler, to bring the first VW van to the United States and Canada since the Volkswagen Eurovan was discontinued after 2002.

The Routan is based on Chrysler's RT platform, which it shares with the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, both heavyweights in the minivan segment. Despite the similarity of their names, the Routan is not related to the European-market Volkswagen Touran.

Differences from Chrysler/Dodge minivans

The Routan will have its own interior and exterior design and suspension settings, and will not feature Chrysler's 'Swivel and Go' second-row seating feature, but it will share the same drivetrain with the other RT-based vehicles.

Engines available are two V6 engines from Chrysler's powertrain stable: the 3.8 L V6 producing Convert|197|hp|kW|0|abbr=on and auto ftlbf|230, and the 4.0 L V6 producing Convert|251|hp|kW|0|abbr=on and auto ftlbf|259. Both engines are teamed to Chrysler's 62TE six-speed automatic transaxle with manual shift capability. VW has made plans to adapt its 3.6 L V6 to replace the Chrysler 3.8 L V6 by 2010, after its agreement with Chrysler Group ends.

The body design is similar overall to the Chrysler vans, though Volkswagen designers gave the Routan a unique front- and rear-end appearance to differentiate the van from its Chrysler siblings and bring it in to the Volkswagen family. The exterior has some styling elements from the Volkswagen Tiguan, most noticeably the front end with its swept-back headlamps. The interior features unique surface treatments and seating.

The Routan is built solely at Windsor Assembly in Windsor, Ontario, on the same assembly line as the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. It was officially revealed at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show on 6 February, 2008.

Market

VW of America aims for the Routan to gain at least five percent share, which equals thirty five thousand units of the seven hundred thousand minivans sold in the United States currently.

Its core competitors are the Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Entourage, Toyota Sienna, and the Nissan Quest.

The Routan will be availble in three trim levels:
*S with the 3.8 V6 which is priced from USD $24,700
*SE with the 3.8 V6 which is priced from USD $29,600
*SEL with the 4.0 V6 which is priced from USD $33,200

This minivan is scheduled to be launched in Mexico by Autumn 2008, replacing the European-built Volkswagen Sharan minivan.

Canada will also receive the Routan this autumn, however, only in the 4.0L engine option.

Engines

References