The CarGurus Blog

  A few years ago, Volkswagen teased the driving public with rumors and auto show concepts of a modernized Microbus, that iconic van of the ’60s and ’70s, stirring up fond memories of outdoor concerts, cross-country treks, and flower power. The concept vehicle had just enough styling homages to the original blended with technological updates to get both critics and consumers excited.

Alas, production costs, U.S. safety regulations, and the current dollar status in Europe rendered the Microbus too expensive, according to Volkswagen brass. To reduce costs and establish its own foothold in the minivan market in the U.S, they teamed up with Chrysler, the inventor of the original minivan, and the result is the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, which debuted at the Chicago Auto Show recently. Not at all like the Microbus concept, the new Routan uses Volkswagen exterior styling to dress up what is essentially a Dodge Caravan. The Routan shares the same platform, but adds a stiffer suspension and higher quality interior materials for more European-like handling and comfort.

This might be a good thing. The Dodge Caravan has been the top-selling minivan for years, yet Volkswagen has added just enough distinctive tweaks to the Routan’s profile, performance, and layout to keep its loyal fan base happy. On the bad side, it’s a bit strange to see Volkswagen entering the minivan market only now, considering that sales of the suburban family mover have consistently decreased over the last three years, from 1.1 million in 2005 to just under 800,000 in 2007. Crossovers seem to be the trend now, but Volkswagen feels the Routan will appeal to a different segment of its consumers, those who have moved on from Beetle singlehood to marriage, family, and the need for a more versatile vehicle.

The name is a play on the word “route,” with nods to other Volkswagen vehicles, such as the Touran, Tiguan, and Sharan. Essentially the same length as the EuroVan, the Routan comes with much of what you expect out of a minivan these days — power sliding doors, a power liftgate, a navigation system, three rows of seats which fold flat, and 13 cupholders. Though the Microbus concept featured a second row that rotated to face the third row, complete with a tray table that flipped up into a two-sided video monitor, the Routan has chosen to eschew both Chrysler’s Stow ‘N Go and Swivel ‘N Go seating arrangements.

There will be two engine choices in the front-wheel drive van — a 3.8-liter, 197-hp V6 or a 4.0-liter, 257-hp V6. Unusual for Volkswagen, no diesel engine will be offered. The Routan is set to go on sale in the fall of 2008, and it will be interesting to see if it can capture any new buyers to its fold. Right now, the only factors that seem to set it apart from its Caravan inspiration are its higher-end interior materials and more streamlined ergonomics. Otherwise, except for already existing Volkswagen fans, it’s hard to believe the Routan will either steal sales from the Caravan or win over any new minivan buyers.

See a press release here.

Check out video of the van.

Thanks to new fuel-efficiency standards enacted by Congress at the end of last year and scheduled to take affect during the next decade or so, automakers have started to drastically rethink their future fleets. General Motors, for instance, has cancelled its plans for a new double-overhead-cam V8 engine that was originally intended to replace the Northstar, which currently powers some of the automaker’s Cadillacs. Other automakers have taken similar steps, turning to turbocharged V6 engines in place of V8s for some future models.

At the same time, many automakers, including GM, have been fast-forwarding their hybrid engine programs. Hybrids made a big splash at the Detroit Auto Show, which just completed its run, and more will debut at the Chicago Auto Show, which kicks off later this week (public show dates for the Chicago show are Feb. 8-17). GM in particular will unveil two new hybrid trucks — the 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid and the GMC Denali XT, a car/truck combo (think the old El Camino) based on the Australian Holden Ute, the stylish utility vehicle from Down Under.

The 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid (above) follows in the tire tracks of its hybrid stablemates, the Chevy Tahoe and Silverado and the GMC Yukon Hybrids. Like those trucks, the Sierra Hybrid comes equipped with GM’s two-mode hybrid system (introduced in the 2008 Yukon), which includes an electric motor and a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery (located beneath the rear seat). The electric motor alone can power the Sierra up to 30 miles per hour, even when the truck is towing a trailer. Beyond 30 miles per hour, the truck’s 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine takes over. Together, the hybrid combo results in a 40 percent increase in fuel efficiency in the city and 25 percent improvement overall, when compared to non-hybrid models, according to GM.

The Sierra Hybrid also comes with a number of components designed to improve aerodynamics, reduce drag, and ensure quiet performance, including a chin spoiler, tonneau cover, low-resistance tires, new exhaust system, electrically driven air conditioning compressor, and electrically driven power steering. The Sierra Hybrid will be manufactured in Canada and available in both two- and four-wheel-drive trims when it goes on sale later this year.

The GMC Denali XT will be an all-new beast when it hits North American shores, and there’s no doubt that it’s a good-looking one at that. It certainly fills a hole in the market, but fits right in during this age of crossover vehicles and retro PT Cruisers. GM has owned Australian automaker Holden since the early 1930s, and has started to draw more and more on Holden’s sporty designs (the Pontiac G8, which debuts this year, is actually a rebadged Holden Commodore).

The rear-wheel-drive Denali XT features unibody architecture and comes with the two-mode hybrid engine, which includes a 4.9-liter V8 gas engine that can run on E85 fuel (a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline). The result is a sleek sport utility truck (or SUT, as GM calls it) that offers a 50 percent increase in fuel economy when compared to a standard gas-powered small truck. The Denali XT will also come with a height-adjustable suspension and a Midgate behind the rear seats that can be lowered to increase cargo capacity. The Denali XT is still in the concept vehicle stage, but we can only hope we see it on North American roads sooner rather than later.