VW's new 1-tonne pickup, known as the 'Robust', will be built in Argentina. It is a body-on-frame design, to be fitted with VW's range of modern common rail turbo-diesel engines.

It will be available in 4x2 and two 4x4 versions - a Toyota-style old-fashioned system for rounh off-road work, and a VW 4Motion system for combined highway/off-road use. It will be sold in cab-chassis, single, double and crew-cab versions.

It is slated for sale in South America, South Africa and Australia from the end of 2009, so it's coming here!

I'm not really a man for utes, but that looks sick!

I think it looks like a Toyota Hilux so i think thats why the aussie one is going to have running gear like a Toyota hilux,

No details yet on which versions Australia will get; we could get both the old transfer case/locking hubs version and the high-tech 4Motion version, together with the 2x4 version (rear drive only).

Yes it looks like a Hilux, but then all the other Jap utes do too. At least this one is a Volkswagen design, unlike VW's last ute of this type. VW actually assembled Toyota Hiluxes under licence in Yugoslavia from 1989 to 1996, and sold them in Europe as the VW Taro. Now there is a collectable Volkswagen!

Good looking truck.... I want one!

Hi

Wow at least VW will now have a reliable late model car.

Steve

I love hilux's & vw's...........

due for a new ute around then ...... mmmmmm ..... choices !!!!!!!!!!!!

About time ! Ive allways wanted a vw for a work ute, SoThat gives me a Yr to save ,wonder what they will cost .

Yawn, same ole same ole, was once a time when different makes looked different, if thats not Hilux styleing then I've never seen it. Yeah, I know, the mechanicals will be VW, well maybe.

There's already such a thing, the VW Mortorsport Race Touareg, which has been competing in the Dakar since 2004. It won the European Rally this year (which replaced the cancelled 2008 Dakar). Although it doesn't have a V10, it has a 209 kW 2.5-litre TDI. It is favourite to win the 2009 'Dakar', which will be held in South America next year.

No relation to the proposed VW pickup truck.

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/allarticles/280213/dakar-rally-2009-volksw...

now thats a work truck // the redbull one

yah, but it's not a trophy truck.

I love the rallyraid cars, but trophy trucks are truly dumb oldschool grunt + rwd

very, very cool

Apparently the Miller racing team will be running VW Race Touaregs in the Baja 1000 next year so we'll see how they go. Don't the trophy trucks get beaten by bikes in the Baja? The race 4WDs, the Touareg and Pajero, beat the bikes in the Dakar.

2WD trucks are too slow and fuel thirsty to have a hope in the Dakar, which is far longer ande tougher than Baja.

VWs are still cooler !

You mean this one which is powered by the Q7 V12 TDI but has been modified for Baja use











http://vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com/2008/11/los-angeles-auto-show-2008-baja-toua...

That's the one. Awesome, hey ! I heard the news item about this and I put it in Zeitschrift in August, but I hadn't heard anything since. Why stuff around with a V8 or a V10 when a V12 will do? And just check out that rear suspension.

Wow, great photos, thanks.

i Love my gutlux, and my vw too but a Vw gutlux!

Quote:

Originally posted by phaeton You mean this one which is powered by the Q7 V12 TDI but has been modified for Baja use

i like the first red bull truck - looks fun, not top heavy either

all the same truck. check the number on the side. 81.

dig that suspension travel, shame that had to put a live rear axle in the back though. typical yanks.

Yeah, I often wonder about supporters of a particular make and then pointing to something like that and raising the flag, like thats a typical example of their particular pride and joy. Sure is an awsom vehicle though.

There's some strange arguments there.

How many standard 'Toyota' or 'Ford' or 'Chevrolet' parts are in the unlimited Trophy Trucks with those badges on them? They are all custom-built by aftermarket engineering firms, not by Toyota, Ford or Chevrolet. And do you really think that Holden and Ford V8 supercars are really 'Holdens' or 'Fords' inside? The Dakar Race Touaregs ARE built by Volkswagen's Motorsport division in Hanover (with IRS). It's the Baja Touareg that was built by Miller Racing (with the beam rear axle).

Anyway, are these the same VW 'enthusiasts' questioning the 'VW-ness' of this Audi-engined US-built custom VW Touareg, yet at the same time, have been quite willing to suggest that Beetle or Kombi owners replace their VW engines with Subaru engines?

My point exactly, same as I am hard pressed to call my buggy a vw although at least the mechanicals are 99% vw beetle.