VW launches “the perfect” pick-up

 Volkswagen claims its new Tristar beefy pick-up is the “transporter of the future”.

The company suggests it is “The best for your business, whatever it may be,” which is stretching a point, and may certainly draw a wry smile from Ford which claims to be the best at producing pick-up trucks.

Even so, it will be interesting to see if Tristar makes it to North America. 

Meanwhile, for this year's IAA event in Hanover, Germany, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is trading on the legendary name of Tristar on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the first syncro concept vehicle to launch its concept vehicle.

The pick-up (above), with extended cab, styling bar and short wheelbase has permanent four-wheel drive with mechanical rear axle differential lock and 30mm additional ground clearance.

Cargo can be distributed on two separate levels: there is a spacious, dust-proof and watertight drawer under the flatbed section, where spare wheel is also housed.

The interior has a 20-inch tablet table and state-of-the-art video conferencing and sound systems driver and passenger seats which turn and slide, “converting Tristar into the perfect place for meetings, with even an espresso machine installed!” 

VW’s designers see the combination of “extreme off-road capability” in combination with flexible transport and storage solutions as making Tristar “a mobile workshop and high-tech office”. 

Developed to the “highest quality standards” they also see the potential of the vehicle as a versatile tool architects, film crews, landscape gardeners or “even keen outdoor adventures”.

Dr. Eckhard Scholz, chairman of the board of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, described Tristar as “an unprecedented combination of all the good features of the T model series”.

“We take our customers’ needs seriously and are continuing to develop our best-seller with great purpose. We are therefore redefining the benchmark of the class with each and every new model,” he added.

Tristar has 4Motion all-wheel drive with differential lock and a mechanical rear axle. It is powered by VW’s 2-litre TDI diesel giving 204PS at 4,00 rev/min and torque of 450Nm at 1,400 rev/min team with a seven-speed DSG gearbox.