Comments on: Volkswagen Robust utility at the Melbourne Motor Show

By: Geoff H

Geoff H — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 07:24:03 +0000

Paul, rear leaf springs are needed for this part of the market! In order for small business buyers (who use utes at the weekend as well) to get a tax concession they need to be able to carry a full 1 tonne load. That’s not something that’s easily achievable with coil springs if possible at all.

What I would like to see is a 5 star safety rating on a crew cab ute instead of 3 star like my Navarra and the rest of the Japanese crew cab utes whilst maintaining the 1 tonne carry capacity and something close to a 3 tonne towing rating with a decent tow ball down force rating which is where many current VW’s fall down.

By: NacaYoda

NacaYoda — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:20:10 +0000

I expect real-world fuel economy and power will be fantastic, if the VW diesel vans are anything to measure by. But the price tag might be the major problem with these. We’ll see.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:49:12 +0000

heard some disappointing information re: Robust

rear drum brakes
rear lef springs

heard some good -> traction control, ABS, etc..

why can’t VW break the Jap ute mould and build a decent ute with rear coils, full-time 4WD and rear discs?

sigh…

paul.

By: Tony

Tony — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:36:24 +0000

I think a lot of people buy these utes for family use now and they need a model geared to that part of the market, so the car need to have features that are available on most family cars, ie rear disc brakes and VDC/ESP

By: Neo Utopia

Neo Utopia — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:34:04 +0000

I agree Simon, but most people will buy these will be trendy builders and the like in the metro areas.

By: Simon

Simon — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:36:57 +0000

Undoubtedly with VW engine pedigree it should be the trend setter in a crowded market. It’s not bad looking but certainly isn’t exceptional either.
VW will need signup more rural dealers if they want this to take off here. People need to know they can get their car repaired easily, particularly in the utility market.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:29:50 +0000

Looks very Navara-ish, which is of course a good thing.

lets hope it does break the mould of the typical pig to drive jap ute

By: Cupid Stunt

Cupid Stunt — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:51:52 +0000

Sure it will sell like hot cakes perhaps 2yrs ago but now we’re all getting paranoid about when the politicians expect us to drive the market is smaller than it one was.
I have visions of Pamela anderson in a skimpy swimsuit and the Hoff jumping out of the SAR branded one