VW China Neeza crossover
Crossover concept from VW China may see duty in the world's fastest growing 'mass' marketOn display in concept form at last year's Beijing auto show, the 'Neeza' crossover is reportedly set for production early next year.
Designed and built by Volkswagen's Shanghai design centre, Wolfsburg execs on hand at the Beijing show said the Neeza could make it to the VW line-up by decade's end but according to China Car Times, Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW) is ready to begin production in 2008.
The Neeza resembles the Audi Q7 but is based on the upcoming VW Tiguan (more here), and is closer size-wise to the Audi Q5 which is expected early next year.
Neeza was also designed to suit a transverse engine arrangement, while the Q5 uses a longitudinal layout. Engine options for the Neeza include Golf four-cylinder or Passat V6 units.
Named after the youthful Chinese deity Nezha, the concept car was designed to "combine Chinese and German design philosophies, signifying the future of new models from Shanghai Volkswagen".
The Neeza concept features swivel front seats for passengers to face each other, 'suicide' doors and 'Magic Box' info-tainment system. All of these features are unlikely to make it to the production version.
The Neeza will add a fresh, sporty side to SVW's line-up if and when it makes production. Currently SVW still sells the '90s-inspired Passat-based Santana3000 and the company needs a home-grown mid-size wagon.
The Volkswagen Group sold just under 700,000 units in China last year, including sales for joint ventures FAW-Volkswagen and Shanghai Volkswagen, making it the country's top-selling automaker.
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