Volkswagen Robust

The Robust Pick Up, which is under development by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, will release in the fall of 2009. [ [http://www.vwot.org/community/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=140 VWoT Community - BRAZIL:Volkswagen will launch new pick-up truck in 2008 ] ]

The Volkswagen Robust Pick Up will come in a number of variations, single cab and double cab combined with either rear wheel drive or four wheel drive.

Volkswagen considers the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton to be Robust Pick Up competitors.

Engines

The Robust will be powered by a range of TDI Common Rail Diesel engines, direct injection petrol engine [http://vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com/2008/09/vw-pickup-revealed.html] and a V6 petrol option as well.Transport Today - Issue 56 April/May 2006 page 50]

Production Sites

The only confirmed production site is the plant in General Pacheco, Argentina for South American, South African, Australian and European markets. [http://vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com/2008/09/vw-pickup-revealed.html]

The Hanover site was dropped from possible sites to produce the Robust due to the increasing economic costs in Europe. [ [http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/07/04/afx5184241.html VW confirms stoppage of plans to build a Pick-up for European market - Forbes.com ] ]

Cab Chassis

In the Australian Publication Transport Today it was reported that Phil Clark Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Director in Australia was trying to convince his German Bosses to add a Cab Chassis program to Project RPU.

Platform Variants

Possible platform spinoffs include a five to seven seat Nissan Pathfinder and Mitsubishi Challenger rival. [ [http://www.noticiasautomotivas.com.br/volkswagen-namib-e-taro-ii-a-pickup-e-a-suv-que-serao-fabricados-no-brasil/ Volkswagen Namib e Taro II, a pickup e a SUV que serão fabricados no Brasil ] ]

pyshots

The Robust pre-production prototypes have been spotted in Europe and America under going testing. [ [http://www.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-robust.html Illustrated: 2010 Volkswagen Robust ] ]

earch and Rescue Pickup Concept

Volkswagen revealed their 1-tonne pickup study at the 2008 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in September; the SAR Pickup measures 5.18m in length and 1.9m in width and the 1.55m long cargo bed can carry a Euro sized broad pallet sideways.

SAR Pickup concept also was equipped for Lifeguards with: four mobile CB radios, flashlights, first aid kit with a defibrillator, binoculars, two safety helmets, removable neoprene seats for hard wearing and a blue light roof module with integrated searchlight.

Possible production features that were on the concept: radio navigation system controlled by a multifunction touch screen, differential locks, cable winch and the rear logo opens the tailgate. [http://vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com/2008/09/vw-pickup-revealed.html]

References

External links

* [http://www.vwot.org/community/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=140 VW's RPU Plan]
* [http://www.reuters.com/article/tnBasicIndustries-SP/idUSL1646949620071016 VW invests in Argentina for RPU production in South America - reuters.com]