VW's Alltrack concept gets some SUV-style additions like better clearance, sill plates and wheel arch extensions.
Considering its rapid growth over the past few years, it’s hard to recall that Subaru was once a failing, third-tier Japanese brand that was giving serious thought to pulling out of the American market.
That all changed when the maker took its slow-selling station wagons, raised their ground clearance, slapped on a bit of cladding and rechristened them “Outback.” It marked the start of one of the U.S. auto industry’s most substantial turnarounds.
Fast forward to 2014. Volkswagen sales have largely stalled after making some major gains earlier in the decade. The maker is struggling to figure out how to regain its lost momentum, promising to deliver new products that will be more in tune with the American marketplace.
Could the Passat Alltrack concept that made its debut this week at the Paris Motor Show be just what VW needs in the U.S.? Unfortunately, for the moment, VW says it only has plans to market the new model in Europe.
If VW's Alltrack gets produced, it will likely be sold only in Europe, officials said.
At first blush, it certainly seems to be the German maker’s take on the original Subaru Outback. Starting out with a Passat station wagon, VW gives the Alltrack some familiar SUV touches, including black plastic wheel arch extensions and sill plates and an extra 30 mm of ground clearance.
There are new, chromed roof rails and special alloy wheels designed to make the 18-inch wheels look like they could crawl over some serious rock fields. And the metallic trim on the bumpers and mirrors make it look like you could readily push aside the thickest brush.
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Under the hood, there will be a choice of two different powertrains for European buyers, both diesels, one making 138 horsepower, the other 175 hp. They’re each paired with a seven-speed DSG.
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An electronic locking differential allows the familiar Volkswagen 4Motion system shift as much as 100% of torque to the rear wheels, when necessary. In normal conditions, however, most torque goes to the front rubber, as with a conventional version of the seventh-generation Passat.
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The modifications add up to about a 200-pound weight penalty, which is expected to cut modestly into fuel economy.
While the two modest-sized diesels probably would have limited appeal in the U.S., especially with a car the size of a Passat wagon, one can only wonder whether a version of the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack wouldn’t score a hit if it were tuned for the needs of American buyers.
Perhaps, as VW rethinks its plans for the market it just might try to learn from Subaru’s success.
Anyone remember the Audi “Allrad”? This is the VW rebadged 2014 version and it’s not likely to sell much better than the prior model unless it’s dirt cheap and reliable.
BTW Subaru’s U.S. recovery was actually due to new, sleeker styled models. The Outback may have started a recovery but the WRX, legacy, etc. have fueled the recovery. Subaru is growing partially based on a cult identity.
Unfortunately VW Ag just does NOT understand the U.S. market/consumer and it’s sad as they have a reasonably decent product. The U.S. VW ownership experienced as discussed here by several owners a few weeks back is precisely why VW is unable to make a come back in the U.S. where at one time with only the VW Bug and Bus they were able to sell close to 700,000 units annually. The world has changed and VW is no longer a cult car in the U.S. VW needs to dramatically improve the OWNERSHIP experience IMO, if they ever want to enjoy sales success again in the U.S.
Consumer’s have so many other choices that VW needs to either change their philosophy or continue to suffer with sales of a few hundred units annually in the U.S.