Volkswagen Ute (Robust) spy photos

By Alborz Fallah | May 01st, 2008

When we received these spy photos from our European photographers, there was a moment of silence from all of us, a VW Ute? Or as the Americans like to say a Pickup Truck?

Yep! We knew VW was serious about beating Toyota to become the world’s number one manufacturer, so this new model should come at no surprise.

The mid-size truck – photos of a quad-cab – will be built in Hannover, Germany, as well Argentina, and so far has been labelled as the “Robust”.

The Robust should be available with two-wheel-drive and “off-road capable” 4×4 versions, combined with VW’s award winning power plants, the Ute might just put some of the Japanese competitors to shame.

Its competitors would include the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton.

http://deleted Alex

OH GOD NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! NOT VOLKSWAGEN!!!
Andy

Meh, bound to happen. Kinda like the Cayenne, you need the bread and butter models to build the KFC dipped in Nutella hotrods.
No Name

Waahey another ute that looks like…. well another ute. BORING.
Surely making a pick up won’t be enough to beat Toyota to No1??
Golfschwein

A nicely propertioned ute, then. There, that wasn’t hard, was it, Hi-Lux?
tonyn

i think it will be a good model from VW, the touareg is a grat vehicle but just a tad overpriced…. a volkswagen ute with the touareg engines would be great!
http://. Naughtyius Maximus

I actually love the look. Gotta applaud VW with bold plans of being number 1. Seems like there designs are in line with that thought process….cute!
http://. Naughtyius Maximus

Line up Hilux with this….and seems a lot cooler and more prim and proper! They have a cunning plan the VW club!
VW_Freak

# Alex Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:08 am

“OH GOD NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! NOT VOLKSWAGEN!!!”

Typical comment from a Holdord Bogan.
Bavarian Missile

Who said that in a series “I have a cunning plan?” Baldrick off Black Adder?

All I can say is can I be a Ra Ra girl for VW to kick Toyotas arse!

Cheer leaders sing!
“Toyota really sucks, with their ugly Roll-lux”
5,6,7,8

“VWs new Pickup, really does look great”

“”GOOOOOOOOOOOO VW”
http://. Naughtyius Maximus

Well done. You pass. Remember Blackadder telling Baldrick about Welsh people….”They are large gangs of tough sinewy men roaming the valley terrorising people with there close harmony singing. Dont ever go to Wales for a holiday, you will be pulling phlegm out of your hair Baldrick for two weeks” Classic words….guess who wrote those words?
phaeton

LOL @ Baravian Missle

GOOOOOOOOOOOO VW

Seriously I think I read somewhere that VW Passenger Sales match Toyota its only in the Commercial sector where VW fall behind.
(Not saying this is completely true but there must be some truth to it.)

A Robust study will be shown in September at the IAA in Hanover this year which is focusing on the Commercial Vehicles.

We in Australia should get it as soon as RHD production starts in Germany or South Africa (or possibly from an ASEAN region plant in Thailand or Indonesia) – Around 2010 or later.

I look forward to it
Captain Mainwaring

Can’t quite see this becoming the indestructible workhorse of Africa and other third world places, dependable electronics and all, that the Hilux has been for the last 30 years. But good luck anyway.
Reckless1

The 4×4 version with the luvly 3.0 V6 diesel would be the absolute best out of this class ov vehicle.

The Toyota is fugly, the Triton is fugly, and the Navara is too long. Then there’s Rodeo and colorado clone, BT50 and ford clone, and a couple of others filling out the sector.

There’s plenty of customers for these things, so it’s vital for VW to enter this sector.

If VW is to knock off GM/Toyota from the 1/2 position, they will first have to fix their substandard dealers and dealer network, at least in Australia.
Alec

I like it. I am looking for a 4×4 quad cab with a simple clean design, strong TDi engines (preferably a small V6) good ground clearance and decent cabin space.
While many have some of these requirements, none have all. Most of the Jap pick ups are just plain ugly
Triton.. what happened there?? & Hilux.. almost as bad!,
only the BT-50/Ranger have a decent looking interior, Navara… just average
And none of the Jap utes ahave what I would call a decent Turbo Diesel.
The VW may just be a great new model!!
If only the F-150 was available in Australa with a good 3-3.5 Turbo Diesel and better handling!
jbot

How can they possibly identify that as a VW?? No badges, no obvious VW design cues??
http://www.ausringers.com Liam

It’s the vibe…
Dlr1

Dont get too excited just yet. Looks like any one of a dozen dual cabs that are sold in the US market. And how can anyone say this is nicely proportioned and the others arent? From what can be seen it looks very BLAND! Typical slabsided pickup with the typical bolt on plastic flares. Wheres the originality? And if Toyota and Mitsubishi are fugly doesn’t this conservative design become whitegoods on wheels?
f1worldchamp

I’m all for Volkswagen beaing Toyota, but there are zero Volkswagen styling cues evident. If someone had said these pictures are of the new Toyota/GM/Ford/Hyundai 4×4, no-one would blink. Those covered bits need to be sufficiently different if the model is to succeed.
Baji

Honestly it doesn’t look all that great. Looks like a merge of the Triton and Hilux. But where i think VW will have a winner here is the engine and transmission range, offroad ability and the safety features, seeing as most utes on the market now have little or no safety gear.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/ alborz

Jbot, when it comes out of a VW factory
jbot

Fair enough haha.
Bavarian Missile

hahaha….that would be the clue……..thats the biggest car bra Ive ever seen!
Minnow

Its a VW, coz its got base model Touareg rims on it. This would be awesome with the V10 diesel powering it!!
Reckless1

I don’t reckon there’s enough room for the V10, and the brakes would have to be uprated, meaning bigger wheels and as a result, no suitable load carrying tyres.

But it could come with the 2.5 since it seems to have the transporter/Touareg R5 brake and wheel package, so if the 2.5 fits, so might the V10.

In this config, it would be unmatched by anything else
Frugal-One

Does it have a bench seat?

Can you get it with LPG?

I think vw should worry less about being #1 [which Toyota won't let them anyway] and concentrate on improving the quality of its products.

Frankly its gone downhill, but not but much as it was low already!

Cheers

F-0
Alex

What I was saying VW_Freak is that its not quite right somehow. What if Renault or Peugeot put out a truck? Or BMW?! None of its right somehow. It also looks too much like a Hilux from the rear door back. Another problem is the sort of people who will buy them. I don\’t want Volkswagens scattered all over building sites! Toyota with the Hilux, Mitsubishi with its um… interestingly styled Triton, Holden with the Rodeo or whatever they call it. You don\’t buy a car from any of those brands for driving quality (although thats starting to change) or that little bit of prestige – you do from Volkswagen. Also whats a Holdord Bogan?
Dlr1

Come on Alex, haven’t you heard of a Transporter, Crafter, Trafic or Kangoo? All commercials, all likely to be found on building sites and used by couriers and the like. And before the years done we’ll have Peugeot vans here too! Not to mention the likes of Merecedes Benz who have been selling vans here for 10 years.
http://deleted Alex

Vans are different – very different. Because you dont see nearly as many of them on building sites and also I was refering to Trucks not vans. Those are all more used for delivery vans rather than builders tools of trade. You still see alot more falcon and commodore utes on building sites than than you do any of those. I can see im the only one who thinks this way so Ill pipe down this time but I would like to know what a Holdord Bogan is. Anyone?
Duck’s Back!

It may put the japanese competitors in shame, but in price? I dont know? I’ll have to wait and see till it comes out.

Though is it me or the whole exterior design looks very similar or identical to the hilux ute (excluding headlights)?
Phillip

It’s an interesting addition to VW’s line-up, especially considering that during the 90s in Europe, VW actually rebadged the Toyota Hilux as the VW Taro. The rebadging effort was about as severe as Nissan’s when they rebadged the Falcon ute (ie: they swapped the badges and that’s about it).
Duck’s Back!

TP, would you care or like if VW did beat Toyota in sales?
Duck

Just wondering if your worried.
No Name

Alex – you said”I don’t want Volkswagens scattered all over building sites!”
Oh how sad for you, what will you do, presumably go about a campaign to rid the site of the awful VW’s trucks. You could even start a petition in parliment to ban the import as you don’t like them so much. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have to “put up” with staring at those things all the time. Whats the world coming to for Gods sake.
Pffft. twit
phaeton

Jbot – the wheels are a dead giveaway (Touareg wheels), the fact that this has been photographed in Europe with VWAG development plates……………………………and if your still not convinced look at the Skoda and Touareg in the background of the pictures

Alex – the future of VW succeeding is growing in all sectors including pickup trucks and in the near future Heavy Trucks and Buses have a look at the VW South Africa Commercial site to see what I mean
Carl

I’ll have one thanx!!!! but are you sure it’s not a Toyota wearing a cardigan!!!!LOL
Andrew M

Tonyn,
you say the touareg is over priced,
well if they price this in the same manner it wont sell.

they are entering a category where people dont buy these things unless they are familiar with them.
they would have to price it under what any other of its competitors charge to even get a look in.

even Madza had to do this to enable its BT50 the solid following it now has. the Mazda commercials use to be easily the best value for money. now that they have solid sales, their pricing has slipped in line with the others.

on the other hand toyota still charges an arm and a leg for the hilux. why? because it is probably the best established name plate in the game. also i suppose its due to the massive discounts they give to fleet, so they have to make it up in what they charge the private sector

and who said VW is equal on passenger sales to toyota?
i find that hard to believe.
i know a hell of a lot of toyotas sales come from the commercial side, but i didnt think VW’s sales were that close
Wheelnut

Does this mean that we could possibly see a Porsche 911 Pick-Up possibly with a GT-3 or Gemballa Body Kit?
Duck

^You wish Wheelnut!
Bavarian Missile

hahaha…….probably Duck ,he wants a ute!
Andrew M

yeah he wants a ute with a crappy rolla cover.

(just trying to have a dig at u wheelnut)
Wheelnut

Andrew M: I’m not that fussed so long as it isn’t a
T-erribly R-otten D-river..
Mistress Bavarian

Play nice boys or i’ll have to get the whip out…..hang on Big W will like that!
Andrew M

ah so you shop at Big W?
yeah you whip that Big W neon sign girl!!!
Mistress Bavarian

hahaha………your in good form today.
Andrew M

pitty “your” spelling isnt
http://. Naughtyius Maximus

Pg 219 Oxford Pocket Dictionary……correct spelling Andrew M is pity! LOL…………………………..! You should learn to spel beter
Mistress Bavarian

Ur bn ril piky? I text too much !
Mistress Bavarian

hahaha…….trust you teacher teacher……I guess I should pass the cane over to you ? I think Andrews too young to remember the cuts or cane? {That will arc him up,I know he hates me stirring him on his age} Waiting waiting waiting !
Cameron

“If VW is to knock off GM/Toyota from the 1/2 position, they will first have to fix their substandard dealers and dealer network, at least in Australia.”

AMEN Reckless1 !!!

Certainly applies to austral volkswagen in Brisbane. Their sales and service is woeful! I love VW but where to buy from!?!? Maybe 2nd hand is the go (I hate compromising too!!!).
Andrew M

yep i knew as soon as i pressed the submit button i hadn’t spelt pity right. i was hoping you wouldnt notice ha ha ha ha ha

so the summary goes…….
“your” spelling isnt any good, and
“Pitty” i cant spell any better ha ha ha ha ha
http://. Naughtyius Maximus

Not many cars came across from VW to suggest new models but they will come hey!

I have been looking at many Ford’s and other cars today…
I suggest to you to look up following: Opel Mereva, Dodge Zero, Geely GE, Geely GT, Geely Tiger, Saturn Extreme, Mazda Ryuga, Renault Alpine, Ford Capri (another version with triangular front lights is cool), Ford F250 Reflex, Ford Iosis X (similar to Kuga), Ford Puma, Ford Start, Ford Verve Sedan and 3 door, Ford Visos. Suss em out as Iam looking at net 99% more then before! The Ford ones are hot as!
Luke

I work with atleast a couple of hilux’s every day. No matter what way you look at it, you just cant kill the things, same thing goes for their landrcuisers, i have one at home that has done over 700,000kms no work done by us ex mine vehicle, still runs like a charm. VW have a long way to go before besting toyota in a field they have mastered and dominated in for so long. You just can’t beat toyota for reliability.
William

Luke is right, the Toyota will be tough to beat no matter how they look. If anybody watches Top Gear they’ll know that the Hilux is virtually indestructible. Everybody should watch “Killing a Toyota” (on you tube) before they decide which is the better truck. Although that VW does look… robust.
vwknow

vw makes the BEST front wheel drive engines tossers….They are sizing down 1.4=todays 2lt, bluemotion thanks to benz…and much more plus DSG same speed as a manual and fuel usage well can we ask the nips to to better. hey vw has a hybrid car 2.6lt per 100kms.my 1.9 uses 4.2lts on the freeway…shiza to the rest…
http://www.skystar.com.au Gary Samuel

Just adding to the above comment I think it looks stylish and any man gay or otherwise is going to like it
Bart

Had Toyotas for past 14 years cause nothing else that beats them.coming up for renewal next year and by the sound of what VW have to offer when it comes to the new ute I will definitely have a good.
Japas are OK if thats all there is to choose from but hey pretty hard to beat a real comfy,quite, efficient euro
Brett

All I will say is this,
A tradie buys a hilux or falcon/commodore ute etc because they are cheap for what they are used for(I just cant see a tradie paying an extra 5 or 10k to drive around in a truck just because its a VW)
The other big downside to a VW ute is the service costs,I have owned a European car and yes it was a good car but there price for servicing was an absolute rip off.
Hence hilux,commodore falcon servicing,parts,extras will be the reason why the average joe blow tradie will stick with the dependable cheap to run and own aussie ute.
Yuppie show pony ute drivers thats another story,they may sell a few but VW will struggle to muscle in on what the big 3 dealers offer in regards to bang for bucks.