TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Nov 26, 2010 8:56 am

I'd love to get my hands on one of these, just for comparison purposes. :wink:

http://busman.be/pagina40aa.html

It seems a large step up from the T4 Syncro version, but can it do serious off-road duty? However, I think VW has lost it when it comes to naming new models, I mean 'Rockton'? :lol:

By the time 'Syncro 30-jahre' comes around we should be seeing some seriously modified versions.

Fri Nov 26, 2010 9:29 am

Now we need to figure out a way to get some into the states for "testing". :twisted:

Fri Nov 26, 2010 9:50 am

Aside from the 'minivan' shell the particulars show promise. The proposed name is as stupid as the leadership at VW. Always gets back to can these be affordable in NA ? And basically at my age I'm running out of time here waiting and waiting ... :wink:

Fri Nov 26, 2010 10:38 am

I just realized that this is the rockton site

Fri Nov 26, 2010 11:03 am

Looks 10x better than that Chrysler built POS they're pushing now! Plus TDI and 6 speed manual! :D
Awesome initiative by the Busman delegation to go to VAG.

Karl,
Did you go to the 25 yr. event? Maybe I should start saving $$ now for the 30 yr. one. :)

Fri Nov 26, 2010 11:07 am

In Germany, the 4x4 specialist Seikel has already been building some very hard core T5s.

http://www.vw-offroad-seikel.de/index.php?id=108&L=1

Before seeing their T5 Extreme I would have had my doubts about the viability of the current Transporter layout for serious offroad duty, but I now see that their is a lot of potential there.

I personally don't find the look of these that appealing. I'm really a fan of the forward control mini-bus look of the Vanagon, but I'm obviously interested in any development involving a VW van.

Todd: If I could update the Vanagon Syncro, the only changes I would make are different front and rear suspensions with much greater articulation and travel, bigger openings for the wheelarches (VW did take care of this on the Syncro 16), and a 5 speed transmission with a full low range transfer case incorporated into it. I guess I'm just glad that VW got the Syncro as right as they did.

David

Fri Nov 26, 2010 11:08 am

Quote: much greater articulation and travel
x2

Fri Nov 26, 2010 1:03 pm

Herr Motorspiele wrote:
Did you go to the 25 yr. event? Maybe I should start saving $$ now for the 30 yr. one. :)

Yes, I was one of three people there from the US (as I counted). Sad that there weren't more, it was an amazing event! Being there also planted the seed for me to import a Gipsy. 8)

Fri Nov 26, 2010 11:04 pm

Looks like a winner, but how long (if ever) will it take to get one over here?

http://www.volkswagen-commercial-vehicles.com/int/...traum.html

Sat Nov 27, 2010 6:09 am

From the side view, it looks a little like a Chevy Astro Van. I still would love to see it available in the US.
1621 wrote: Looks like a winner, but how long (if ever) will it take to get one over here?

http://www.volkswagen-commercial-vehicles.com/int/...traum.html

Sat Nov 27, 2010 8:48 am

Wow VW could not have come up with a more BORING intro vehicle. Gray paint? Looks like a Eurovan to me. I would want to see the under carriage more than anything else.

What they need to do is build a van body onto the Toureg chassis. It is very capable with long travel suspension and lockers. Oh man a TDI V10 VW van you could actually TOW with!

Sat Nov 27, 2010 8:57 am

Perhaps had you seen the T5 in person in Germany this spring you might feel differently. It is nothing like a Eurovan in any way. I also toured the assembly line, darn impressive in itself. I doubt VW feels the market is large enough to make an 'ultimate off-road' version -let that job to the aftermarket tuners.

Sat Nov 27, 2010 12:03 pm

Sat Nov 27, 2010 2:24 pm

Seikel has some cool stuff there... But it looks like a mini van... too bad.

Sat Nov 27, 2010 4:40 pm

aswah wrote: Seikel has some cool stuff there... But it looks like a mini van... too bad.

Sheesh. The VANAGON looks like a minivan. They ALL look like minivans! Tellya what, next time there's a real Sycnro event in Germany ya'll go and see the stuff in person, I probably won't even bother mentioning any of it. :roll:

Sat Nov 27, 2010 5:06 pm

westyventures wrote: Sheesh. The VANAGON looks like a minivan. They ALL look like minivans! Tellya what, next time there's a real Sycnro event in Germany ya'll go and see the stuff in person, I probably won't even bother mentioning any of it. :roll:

Aw ... c'mon, Super-K, lighten-up. :wink: We're all just still dreaming about a rear-engine job on the Left Coast. :roll: Hey ... if they can sell the Rockton awd in NA for, say, $18k I can overlook the 'minivan' shell :D

Sat Nov 27, 2010 5:29 pm

WestyBob wrote:
Aw ... c'mon, Super-K, lighten-up. :wink: We're all just still dreaming about a rear-engine job on the Left Coast. :roll: Hey ... if they can sell the Rockton awd in NA for, say, $18k I can overlook the 'minivan' shell :D

The only way that will happen is if someone builds their own - it isn't ever gonna happen from a VW factory again.

Sat Nov 27, 2010 10:37 pm

You can

Sun Nov 28, 2010 5:13 am

What ever happened to the Atacama (I think that was what it was called) 4wd van concept. Or the "New Bus" concept of a decade ago? ````

Sun Nov 28, 2010 2:31 pm

New Bus died b/c Piech ran VW out of money (just like he did at Porsche's racing div. years ago). He creates legends, no matter the cost.