Volkswagen plans to add a vehicle to its commercial range in the shape of the Pickup concept. Launched this week at the IAA commercial vehicle show in Hanover, sales will start in late 2009.
The Pickup is 5.1 metres long and 1.9 metres wide and the loading bay has been designed to take a standard Euro pallet up to the one-tonne payload. Four doors give access to the four-seat cabin. Volkswagen hopes its latest commercial vehicle will appeal to business and private customers alike. No details have been released about the engine range, but expect to see turbodiesel units carried over from other models in the VW range.
This is the first VW commercial vehicle to be designed under Walter de Silva's direction, so it incorporates familiar corporate styling themes, particularly from the
new Golf and
Scirocco-style front end.
The show car, kitted out as a lifeguard's Search and Rescue (SAR) vehicle, was designed in consultation with emergency vehicle specialists. Equipment incorporated in the SAR package includes CB radios, life jackets and a defibrillator although there are no plans at present to offer these on the production vehicle.
Manufacture of the Pickup will be undertaken at VW's 'Pacheco' plant in Argentina. The production version will go on sale at the end of 2009 with initial sales in Europe, South America, South Africa and Australia. Expect more details of prices and equipment closer to the launch date.
John Lambert - 24 Sep 2008