"Volkswagen has revealed that it will be showing a new Alltrack Concept, next week at the New York International Auto Show, that could make VW a rival for the rugged-wagon business that Subaru has long coveted.
While strictly a concept for the U.S. market—and we still haven't seen an official picture of the version to be shown at New York (the production-bound model of the same name, that made its debut last year, at Tokyo, is shown above)—the Alltrack sounds like it very closely resembles the Passat Alltrack model that was already shown at the Tokyo Motor Show last November and is headed for summer 2012 delivery in some overseas markets.
The model, which Volkswagen says bridges the gap between passenger car and SUV, is essentially the Volkswagen brand's equivalent of the Audi A6 Allroad—although the two models wouldn't be closely related.
As we've seen time and time again, with the Subaru Legacy Wagon swallowed up by the Outback, and the Volvo V70 effectively canceled out by the XC70, very few wagons sell well in the U.S. when they're presented in the same guise as sedans. Dress them up with some token rugged cues and raise the ride height slightly, and it's somehow a recipe for popularity.
Green performance is provided by VW's well-respected and fuel-stingy 2.0-liter turbo-diesel (TDI) four-cylinder engine, making 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG) and 4Motion all-wheel drive.
The 4Motion system includes an off-road mode that can be used at up to 18 mph, for different calibration of vehicle systems, like stability control, and for a milder, more progressive throttle calibration. Hill Descent Control is also automatically engaged for downward slopes of 10 percent or more. As with VW's other 4Motion vehicles, the Haldex-based 4Motion system can send nearly 100 percent of power to the rear wheels when needed, or about ten percent under normal driving." [Read more]
