2009 Volkswagen Routan
2009 Volkswagen Routan
2009 Volkswagen Routan
Developed jointly with Chrysler LLC and manufactured in the same Canadian plant that produces the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, Routan is another of the vehicles the German automaker is tailoring specifically to the U.S. market. Its debut comes on the heels of the Passat CC that was introduced at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January. VW sees this targeting strategy as a way to meet its goal of selling 800,000 cars a year in the USA by 2018.
Routan is a seven-passenger van like the Town & Country and Grand Caravan. Power comes from the same 3.8- and 4.0-liter V6s that power the Chrysler minivans. A standard 6-speed automatic transmission is also shared with its American cousins. However, suspension and steering have been modified to provide a more "European" feel, Volkswagen says.
Interior and exterior design follows current Volkswagen themes. Its headlights and horizontal-bar grille are a near match for the look of the Tiguan. Taillights that extend into the liftgate also maintain the VW look. Interior materials and detailing on the model VW showed to the media are a cut above what's inside the Chrysler vans.
The name may strike some as odd; it joins the English word "route" with the "an" suffix commonly uses on van-type vehicles VW sells in other parts of the world. Three trim levels will be offered; prices will start under $25,000. Routan goes on sale in the fall as a 2009 model.