Volkswagen Routan
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This article contains information about a scheduled or anticipated future automobile. It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final version of the vehicle. |
| Volkswagen Routan | |
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| Manufacturer | Chrysler LLC |
| Parent company | Volkswagen Group |
| Production | 2008[1]- |
| Assembly | Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Predecessor | Volkswagen Eurovan |
| Class | Minivan |
| Body style(s) | 4-door minivan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | Chrysler RT platform |
| Engine(s) | 3.8L V6 4.0L V6 |
| Transmission(s) | 6-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 121.2 in (3078 mm) |
| Length | 202.5 in (5144 mm) |
| Width | 76.9 in (1953 mm) |
| Height | 68.9 in (1750 mm) |
| Related | Chrysler Town & Country Dodge Grand Caravan |
The Volkswagen Routan is a 7 seat minivan developed for North American market that will hit showroom floors in September of 2008.
Volkswagen and Chrysler created the venture in 2005 [2], as VW, who has set a goal of tripling it's U.S. sales by 2012, had no minivan aimed at the United States and Canadian market other than the Sharan, which is only sold in Mexico and South America. VW determined that the Sharan was not suitable for the specialized U.S. market and the expense VW would incur from designing, concepting, and finally building and importing a unique vehicle from Europe would have been far greater for a maker like VW who already struggles for it's share of in the American market, therefore, a partnership with then Daimler-Benz owned Chrysler Group was formed to bring the first VW van to the United States and Canada since the Volkswagen Eurovan was discontinued after 2002.
The Routan is based on Chrysler's RT platform which the vehicle shares with minivan segment heavyweights Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country.
[edit] Routans differences from it's Chrysler and Dodge cousins
The Routan will have its own interior and exterior design and suspension settings and will not feature Chrysler's Swivel and Go second row seating feature, but will share the same drivetrain with the other RT based vehicles.
Engines available are two V6 engines from Chrysler's powertrain stable: the 3.8 L V6 producing 197 hp (147 kW) and 230 lb·ft (312 N·m), and the 4.0 L V6 producing 251 hp (187 kW) and 259 lb·ft (351 N·m), will be available. Both engines are teamed to Chrysler's 62TE six-speed automatic transaxle with manual shift capability. VW has made plans to adapt it's superior 3.6 L V6 to replace the Chrysler 3.8 L V6 by 2010, after it's agreement with Chrysler Group ends.
The body design is similar overall to the Chrysler vans. Volkswagen designers gave the Routan a unique front- and rear-end appearance that differentiates the van from its Chrysler siblings and brings it in to the Volkswagen family. The exterior has some styling elements from the Volkswagen Tiguan, most noticeably the front end with its swept-back headlamps. The interior features unique surface treatments and seating.
The Routan is built solely at Windsor Assembly in Windsor, Ontario, on the same assembly line as the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. It was officially revealed at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show on 6 February 2008.
[edit] References
[edit] External Links
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| Founder: German Auto Association • Volkswagen corporate website • A marque of the VWAG group • Das Auto • Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. • VolkswagenGroupAmerica corporate website • Electronics Research Laboratory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
