VW are having a go at "Streetwising" the Lupo! They say it will cost from £8000, isnt that similarly priced to the SW? I dont think this is good news for Rover .
Head for the hills! Volkswagen is set to hit town with a funky new mini-SUV aimed at the Rover Streetwise and soon to be launched Fiat Panda 4x4.
Christened the CrossFox, the chunky looking allroader will join the VW line-up positioned under the recently unveiled Polo Fun, which made its debut at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show. The launch emphasises just how quickly this niche class is growing, as manufacturers flock to join a new market created when Rover unveiled its innovative new Streetwise.
It's the second urban utility vehicle that VW has unwrapped in as many months, and is expected to soon be joined by a new Golf off-roader which will offer both four-wheel drive and extra ground clearance.
Based on the recently revealed Lupo replacement (Top Story, issue 775), the sensational CrossFox is expected to cost from only £8,000. Auto Express's exclusive pictures show a 100bhp 1.6-litre FSI-engined machine scheduled to hit showrooms in 2005.
Although this is the only model confirmed so far by the company, further engines which are under consideration include a 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit, and VW's popular 115bhp 1.9-litre diesel. Five and six-speed manual gearboxes are also set to be offered.
Although the front-wheel-drive car is being developed to offer the last word in urban versatility, VW's engineers are reported to be keen to ensure that it is able to perform off-road as well. Suspension is raised by 46mm, and the CrossFox will be fitted with 205/60 R15 mud and snow tyres to give ad-ded grip when the going gets rough.
Extra driving lamps are also fitted, as is beefy body armour designed to protect the car's extremities. The spare wheel is fixed to the rear of the CrossFox, improving ground clearance, and adding yet more visual impact to the overall look. Finally, the car has roofbars to help carry bulky loads. Inside, leather bucket seats and metal-finished pedals will feature in the top-spec variants.
The instrument cluster combines the speedometer and rev counter, while UK cars are expected to offer air-conditioning and satellite navigation, too. Internet services, provided by a removable Palm Pilot personal digital assistant, are also being planned. At the rear, there will be space for three passengers, plus a split-fold rear seat and spacious boot. VW is remaining tight-lipped over what impact the introduction of the CrossFox will have on its sister companies, SEAT and Skoda. Although the Spanish firm's small car, the Arosa, is expected to end production with the introduction of the Lupo replacement, the Czech company has shown concept models of a beefed-up, allroad edition of its Vroomster concept, also first shown at Frankfurt. The Vroomster, which is set to influence Skoda's new city car, will go on sale late in 2005. Dan Strong
(Auto Express Website)
Head for the hills! Volkswagen is set to hit town with a funky new mini-SUV aimed at the Rover Streetwise and soon to be launched Fiat Panda 4x4.
Christened the CrossFox, the chunky looking allroader will join the VW line-up positioned under the recently unveiled Polo Fun, which made its debut at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show. The launch emphasises just how quickly this niche class is growing, as manufacturers flock to join a new market created when Rover unveiled its innovative new Streetwise.
It's the second urban utility vehicle that VW has unwrapped in as many months, and is expected to soon be joined by a new Golf off-roader which will offer both four-wheel drive and extra ground clearance.
Based on the recently revealed Lupo replacement (Top Story, issue 775), the sensational CrossFox is expected to cost from only £8,000. Auto Express's exclusive pictures show a 100bhp 1.6-litre FSI-engined machine scheduled to hit showrooms in 2005.
Although this is the only model confirmed so far by the company, further engines which are under consideration include a 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit, and VW's popular 115bhp 1.9-litre diesel. Five and six-speed manual gearboxes are also set to be offered.
Although the front-wheel-drive car is being developed to offer the last word in urban versatility, VW's engineers are reported to be keen to ensure that it is able to perform off-road as well. Suspension is raised by 46mm, and the CrossFox will be fitted with 205/60 R15 mud and snow tyres to give ad-ded grip when the going gets rough.
Extra driving lamps are also fitted, as is beefy body armour designed to protect the car's extremities. The spare wheel is fixed to the rear of the CrossFox, improving ground clearance, and adding yet more visual impact to the overall look. Finally, the car has roofbars to help carry bulky loads. Inside, leather bucket seats and metal-finished pedals will feature in the top-spec variants.
The instrument cluster combines the speedometer and rev counter, while UK cars are expected to offer air-conditioning and satellite navigation, too. Internet services, provided by a removable Palm Pilot personal digital assistant, are also being planned. At the rear, there will be space for three passengers, plus a split-fold rear seat and spacious boot. VW is remaining tight-lipped over what impact the introduction of the CrossFox will have on its sister companies, SEAT and Skoda. Although the Spanish firm's small car, the Arosa, is expected to end production with the introduction of the Lupo replacement, the Czech company has shown concept models of a beefed-up, allroad edition of its Vroomster concept, also first shown at Frankfurt. The Vroomster, which is set to influence Skoda's new city car, will go on sale late in 2005. Dan Strong
(Auto Express Website)