True to tradition, Volkswagen used the Detroit show to unveil a surprising concept vehicle. For the concept T, VW designers looked deep into the company's history, drawing inspiration from the Kubelwagen and the Beetle-based dune buggies, and then looked to the future to identify a micro-niche in the crowded SUV segment to shoehorn an innovative vehicle into. The result is an off-road coupe fitted with a 214-hp V-6, Tiptronic transmission, 4Motion all-wheel drive, and wild, Speed Buggy styling. The sweeping doors move outward and swing upward to aid ingress/egress. The roof is made of two removable parts to enable open-air beach cruising. The interior boasts latest technology with a Personal Mobility Gateway (PMG) wireless communication system. The PMG uses a portable PDA-like device that controls functions such as air conditioning and navigation system. VW officials suggest this concept is more than a fanciful design, leaving us wondering about the potential for a platform- and drivetrain-sharing sport/ute coupe.
