What Is It?

Volkswagen Concept T

What's Special About It?

Ever eager to arouse the passions of its U.S. customer base, Volkswagen has created a vehicle that aspires to meld a sports car with a sport-utility vehicle. If this sounds familiar to you, that's because numerous other manufacturers have tried the same thing, at least in concept form (Infiniti and Mitsubishi come to mind). But, says VW, this one is different, because it's equal to the sum of it parts. It doesn't compromise as a sports car, and it offers true off-road ability.

To look at the Concept T is to see perhaps a contemporary take on the dune buggy, and given that all of the action photography in VW press material shows it romping in the sand, that's not a stretch. Ultimately, it's a lifestyle vehicle along the lines of the Honda Element or Scion xB. To that end, the hypothetical buyer would have the option of going with either durable plastic "outdoor" trim or upscale leather "downtown" trim for the interior. The rear of the vehicle can house either luggage or a second pair of seats. Dramatic entrances and exits are possible, thanks to wing doors that swing upward as on the Range Stormer. In addition, various sections of the roof can be removed to allow an open-air driving experience.

Volkswagen gave few details about the mechanicals of the Concept T, other than to say that it has a 3.2-liter V6 that makes 241 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. A Tiptronic automatic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive are included. Inside, the Concept T offers a head-up display and a Personal Mobility Gateway (PMG) that helps the driver and passenger manage basic seat position, climate control and stereo functions, as well as more complex navigation, phone and high-speed Internet tasks.

What's Edmunds' Take?

The Concept T is not a candidate for production in its current state, but it suggests that VW is interested in offering a multifunctional "lifestyle" vehicle in the near future. Alternatively, you could see hints of it in the next Jetta or Passat or in the upcoming Microbus. — Erin Riches