Meet the new Transporter Rockton, the latest member of Volkswagen's extended family of full size vans. As implied by its name and looks, the Rockton is a tougher version of the standard Transporter with increased off-road ability. It is based on the recently facelifted Kombi variant and comes equipped with a Haldex-based four-wheel drive system with a differential lock on the rear axle as standard.
To improve its off-road prowess, Volkswagen's engineers added a reinforced suspension and damping while also increasing the ride height by 30 millimeters. And that's about it for the standard version. However, VW also offers buyers two more options, the Expedition and Protective packages.
The Expedition option adds 16-inch all-terrain tires on reinforced steel rims and a different transmission which the company claims " provides greater pulling power in off-road operation", plus individually sliding and removable seats trimmed in a special fabric inside.
Those that plan to take full advantage of the Rockton off the road, might want to add the Protective Package, which includes underbody protection plates for the engine and transmission, fuel tank, side sills, rear axle and exhaust system. A multi-function container with a desk and a mesh partition for the passenger space is also available.
The Transporter Rockton is offered with a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine in a choice of two outputs, with 140HP or 180HP. According to VW, in Germany, prices for the standard model start from € 34,545 (plus VAT) and for the "Expedition" from €42,490 (net).
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4 Comments:
Looks like a Ford Econoline.
This would probably sell better over here than the Fauxwagen Routan.
I would buy one of these TODAY if VW offered it here in the United States! OMG I think I just had a vangasm. PLEASE VW: Bring this to the United States - and equip it with the diesel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can someone explain me what is good about this thing? OK the idea of a cool offroad van that is really practical for a long trip is cool, but This?! Let's compare the Rockton to an average proper off-roader (Defender, Landcruiser, Wrangler Unlimited):
Comfort - fail. Anything is better than a Rocton (check out interior panels)
Seating - fail. Van has only 4 seats, wtf?
Cargo space - fail. You can't fit anything special in a van. Surfboard, bycicle, skis, place for a bed? Forget it.
4x4 - fail. Rockton has the type of drivetrain as Golf. Nothing trully rough and sturdy as a proper offroader.
Then again having some fake foglights, VW badge and a heritage of all the delivery vans across Europe - priceless.
Seriously, wtf is this van for?
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