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Volkswagen Concept A
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 12:11 am
by Si_GTi
Volkswagen has revealed its latest design study, the Concept A, a crossover between a sports car and a compact SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle).
At 4,348 mm long and 1,854 mm wide, Concept A is 144 mm longer and 95 mm wider then the Golf Mk V. The height of Concept A is 1,551 mm, compared with 1,485 for the Golf; while its 2,602 mm wheelbase is 24 mm longer than the Golf’s.
The concept combines a sleek coupe-style silhouette with the raised stance of an SUV. At the front, the shield-like front grill which is common to the Passat and Jetta has been developed to emphasise Concept A’s off-road styling by forming part of the underbody protection. High-efficiency LED headlights add a further modern touch.
At the rear, Concept A has a practical hatchback tailgate; but this is coupled to a pick-up style fold-down rear section beneath the rear LED light clusters. This hatch can be opened independently and remain open while driving so long loads can be carried.
Concept A does away with the traditional B-pillar. It features opposing opening wing doors which allow easy access for front and rear passengers as well as giving a feeling of space and light. This airy feel is enhanced by Concept A’s concertina-style soft-top which slides all the way back to the C-pillar.
Inside are four sculpted, patent leather seats and ultra-modern facia with stylish and ergonomic controls.
Under the bonnet is a 150 PS TSI engine: this uses Volkswagen’s latest turbo and supercharger technology for maximum performance but minimum fuel consumption. Designers say alternative engines, including TDI diesel units, could also be used in the concept. Whatever its source, power is distributed via six-speed DSG automatic transmission to all four 20-inch wheels using the 4MOTION system currently employed in the range-topping Passat and Golf R32.
Concept A made its world debut today in Berlin and will be revealed to the public at the Geneva Auto Salon which starts at the end of this month. Production plans for the vehicle have not been confirmed. However, the concept further expands Volkswagen’s model range, at a time when customers’ needs continue to diversify.
17.02.2006
More images can be found at
dieselstation
I like it!
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 9:36 am
by robz
i think thats horrible
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:23 am
by Tris
Not too sure
A grower I think
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 11:22 am
by robz
this uses Volkswagen’s latest turbo and supercharger technology for maximum performance but minimum fuel consumption.
this sounds interesting tho
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 12:18 pm
by Si_GTi
Yeah I think it's using the same kind of approach as the Golf GT, with a supercharger and a urbo providing the power. Twincharger, I think it's been dubbed?
The underpinnings, or something very similar at least, will form the basis of the Golf-based 4x4 due around 2008, the Bedouin I think it will be called.
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 1:02 pm
by Tris
That engine's gonna be awesome
I expect there'll be loads of tuning potential
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 1:11 pm
by dino
Looks good
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:16 pm
by ModifiedMadness
I think the idea behind it, is the Supercharger provides low down power then once the turbo has spooled up that takes over.
Slam it on it's arse though, thats's one thing that's needed.
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:36 pm
by mysteryboy
That's possibly the ugliest thing I've seen all week
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 6:24 pm
by Mk2Adam
mysteryboy wrote:That's possibly the ugliest thing I've seen all week
not for me....i saw jade goody on 8 out of 10 cats yesterday
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 6:35 pm
by polopowah
cats have 9 lives right?
its errm different not quite sure what they are trying to achieve with that design and who the heck are they aiming at selling it too!!
-Ben-
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:04 pm
by Si_GTi
polopowah wrote:its errm different not quite sure what they are trying to achieve with that design and who the heck are they aiming at selling it too!!
Like the GX-3 Concept it's for the American market, apparently! We'd get it as the Bedouin that is pencilled in for a couple of years' time.
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 9:09 pm
by mysteryboy
Mk2Adam wrote:mysteryboy wrote:That's possibly the ugliest thing I've seen all week
not for me....i saw jade goody on 8 out of 10 cats yesterday
good one
polopowah wrote:who the heck are they aiming at selling it too!!
I can imagine a surfboard on the roof... so surfer dudes perhaps?
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 9:48 pm
by DanDiesel
Si_GTi wrote:Yeah I think it's using the same kind of approach as the Golf GT, with a supercharger and a turbo providing the power. Twincharger, I think it's been dubbed?
my bro has called it a Superturbo! either way it seems to be a good concept engine especially as vw claim it provides excellent fuel consumption!
not sure on the car overall tho, as tris said, its a grower!!
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 10:33 pm
by Tahrey1043
ModifiedMadness wrote:I think the idea behind it, is the Supercharger provides low down power then once the turbo has spooled up that takes over.
That's exactly right, the Lader (for want of an easier word that isn't the slightly gay sounding "Super") gives a constant background of instant boost like in the G40/G60, giving way to the fairly hefty turbo as it spins up. I think it's also clutched so it can disengage at high rpms?
Slam it on it's arse though, thats's one thing that's needed.
For sure! I was thinking.... it looks like a deranged plastic tonka toy... but i'd still hit it. If they changed the colour a bit, then shaved an inch off the wheel diameter so it could be decked, HARD. Looks like it's a monster truck or something at the moment, or a Karmann Ghia on jack-in-the-box strings.