[CentreOfGravity]

VW have unveiled a cross-pollination version of the Taigun and Virtus in the form of a pickup truck in India. Brace for impact guys, this looks a 100x uglier than the first gen Swift Dzire . Thank God this is just a concept!

Source: Rushlane

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) continues its commitment to skill development through the Student Car Project, in line with the government’s ‘Skill India’ initiative. This year, students from the company’s mechatronics program have developed a unique pickup truck concept by merging elements of the Taigun SUV and the Virtus sedan.

The project, completed over nine months, involved several stages, including concept finalization, market analysis, research and development, procurement, and testing. Students used 3D printing technology to manufacture various parts for the vehicle, showcasing their ability to apply modern manufacturing techniques. The final design features additional accessories like underbody protection, studded tires, ambient lighting, and roof-mounted lights.

Key features:

[ballkey]

What they could've done is make an estate out of the Virtus.. It's already having high enough ground clearance, adding a nice estate mod would be much cooler. Add captain seats on the rear, or put them on rails so that it can add additional leg space, add dual zone AC, a banging sound system, and you get a very nice modern day Skoda Combi or an A4 Avant. Lots of utility, and marketability

[SuperGirl_Dad]

There is no mention of it being AWD or front wheel drive. Can we assume this is the first ever front wheel drive pickup?

[somspaple]

It says 'Student Car Project' . If indeed it's a student project, I would say it's a great effort.

Probably whoever created the report was the project lead and also the in-charge of all the led lights modifications - hence LED bits highlighted all across. If they had highlighted just the simple mods and efforts behind increased suspension travel, larger tyres, snorkel and the pickup bed -it would have been much better.

[FlankerFury]

Might be off-topic but,

Originally Posted by SuperGirl_Dad

There is no mention of it being AWD or front wheel drive. Can we assume this is the first ever front wheel drive pickup?

this got me wondering.
If this Taigun pick up is really FWD, its not the first time for Volkswagen, they sold a utility truck in America by the name of Rabbit Pickup. (Rabbit was the name given to the Golf Mk1 for the American market.)It literally is a Golf with an extended bed. Here's an image,


Also found out that Hyundai's Santa Cruz pick up and Ford's Maverick in base trims are sold as FWD. Honda's Ridgeline too was available with FWD, now its only AWD.

[marcellofms10]

Subcompact and compact front-wheel drive pickup trucks have been common in Latin America for a few decades, mainly in Brazil. Several brands have developed pickup trucks derived from hatchbacks over the years, including VW itself.

The German brand has been selling the Saveiro since the mid-1980s, which is nothing more than a derivative version of the Gol hatchback and is now in its 3rd generation.









This is the last facelift that the model has undergone. It is sold in single cabin configurations for 2 passengers and double cabin for 4 passengers. It is always equipped with a 1.6 naturally aspirated engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

According to media, VW Brasil is now developing a successor to the Saveiro based on the MQB-A0 platform and sharing components with the T-Cross.





It will compete with the Chevrolet Montana (derived from the Tracker), with the Fiat Toro (based on the Compass) and with the future Renault pickups derived from the Niágara concept and with Nissan (shared project with Renault) and with the Hyundai pickup derived from the next generation of Creta. Even Toyota plans to develop a pickup derived from the Corolla Cross.

[TusharK]

Skoda Auto VW India has revealed a one-off pickup truck concept based on the Taigun. It was built as part of a student project under the Skill India initiative.



The students have created a pickup truck using parts from the Taigun and Virtus sedan. The project was developed in various phases, from car concept finalisation to ideas collection, market analysis, research and development, procurement, packing, and final car testing for launch over a period of 9 months.



The students designed and 3D-printed various parts. They also equipped the vehicle with accessories like underbody protection, studded tyres, ambient lighting and special roof-mounted lights.



SAVWIPL Academy’s Dual Vocational Training program in mechatronics was launched in 2011 with the aim of upskilling high school students. It’s a full-time, 3.5-year course, modelled after Germany’s vocational system. Students were mentored by skilled Skoda Auto VW India professionals, throughout the pickup truck project.



Last year, students of this course built a convertible based on the Skoda Rapid.

Link to Team-BHP News

[theexperthand]

Wow, that looks good. Wish they launched this.

--Anoop

[karan561]

Very badly designed pickup, don't know why they are showcasing this.

Wish I could unsee that rear overhang.

:/

[wild child]

That's a smart way to declare their alliance with M&M!

[funnysaltbrick]

Originally Posted by ballkey

What they could've done is make an estate out of the Virtus.. It's already having high enough ground clearance, adding a nice estate mod would be much cooler. Add captain seats on the rear, or put them on rails so that it can add additional leg space, add dual zone AC, a banging sound system, and you get a very nice modern day Skoda Combi or an A4 Avant. Lots of utility, and marketability

We need more wagons in India. They make so much sensibility for the Indian conditions. Why are brands (especially the Europeans) so hesitant about this?

[DicKy]

Reminds me of the literal trunk in old vintage cars that jutted out from the rear of the bodywork. This is just pasting a loadbay onto a hatchback.

Originally Posted by FlankerFury

If this Taigun pick up is really FWD, its not the first time for Volkswagen, they sold a utility truck in America by the name of Rabbit Pickup.

Also found out that Hyundai's Santa Cruz pick up and Ford's Maverick in base trims are sold as FWD. Honda's Ridgeline too was available with FWD, now its only AWD.

Originally Posted by marcellofms10

Subcompact and compact front-wheel drive pickup trucks have been common in Latin America for a few decades, mainly in Brazil. Several brands have developed pickup trucks derived from hatchbacks over the years, including VW itself......

Closer home, our Ford Ikon, Fiat Palio/Petra, Renault Duster, Renault Logan all had such pickup derivatives sold in South America.

Originally Posted by marcellofms10

Even Toyota plans to develop a pickup derived from the Corolla Cross.

Rumours were strong with the success of the Ford Maverick and on the return of the Toyota Stout brand, but nothing much has come out of it. Maybe the rumours of a small Toyota pickup truck was for the Hilux Champ that was launched in SE Asia instead.

Originally Posted by funnysaltbrick

We need more wagons in India. They make so much sensibility for the Indian conditions. Why are brands (especially the Europeans) so hesitant about this?

They just have to look at the sales figures of the stationwagons that were sold in India. Enough reason for them to be hesitant about. Anyway, the way I see it, most of the crossovers/echuvees with a rear quarter glass/ D pillar is a lifted stationwagon to me eyes.

[Joe367]

Originally Posted by TusharK

The students have created a pickup truck using parts from the Taigun and Virtus sedan. The project was developed in various phases, from car concept finalisation to ideas collection, market analysis, research and development, procurement, packing, and final car testing for launch over a period of 9 months.

Oh, it was a student project! From all the social media posts, I was under the impression this was a concept car made by Volkswagen group. I guess there's no point in ridiculing the design.

[Blakride]

Sad to see if this is the talent we have to offer in India. Highly unstable design with unscientific extruding cantilever. Rest all is karol Bagh beautification. Love how the Skoda VW management is strategically standing to hide the blunder.

[diwakarmuthu]

Originally Posted by TusharK

SAVWIPL Academy’s Dual Vocational Training program in mechatronics was launched in 2011 with the aim of upskilling high school students. It’s a full-time, 3.5-year course, modelled after Germany’s vocational system. Students were mentored by skilled Skoda Auto VW India professionals, throughout the pickup truck project.

The program is on Mechatronics, but what I see here is anything but mechatronics. Anyone else having the same thought!

A great initiative for upskilling nonetheless. Kudos to VW for doing this.