2004 Volkswagen Concept C
Coming to a Volkswagen Dealer Near You
Slick, smooth and sporting - not exactly the words Id normally use to describe a Volkswagen. Recent styling emphasis has been on the jelly-bean shaped Mk V Golf, the anonymous-looking Phaeton and rugged Touareg. And just when I didnt think there was much hope for the peoples carmaker to produce something fashionable, along came the Concept C, something fresh and new, a light that if built might be bright enough to transform the dowdy brands image.
Through the vital process of experimenting, Volkswagen has unveiled a string of concept cars over the past few months. So far, its been a bit of a hit and miss game, with big thumbs up directed at the wild mid-engined Concept R, but a tepid reception for the rally-raid inspired Concept T. The latest vehicle to come from VWs design chief Murat Gunak is the Concept C and its quite different. Volkswagen brought this hardtop cabriolet to the world as a "fictitious series vehicle" (read: near production), in a similar fashion to Mercedes-Benzs Vision CLS concept or BMWs M5 Concept.
Like its showstopper rivals, the Concept C offers a number of attention-grabbing lines and shapes, all kept within the means of a production vehicle. Unsurprisingly, most of these cues are found at the front of the car. Its one of many Volkswagen concept cars to feature a cascading one-piece combination grille and bumper, finished with brilliant chrome accents. Combined with the angled edge of the hood over the cars round headlights, this Volkswagen is a step into the future compared to the dated, passive-looking Jetta and bloated new Golf.
Gunak sees the integration of the Concept Cs defining look as Volkswagens family Coat of Arms, a distinguishing trademark which will finally give the German brand a unified identity that has been lacking for quite some time. This new styling direction has been confirmed by Gunak for future vehicles, including what is expected to be the production version of the Concept C and the upcoming Passat. Future facelifts for new Volkswagens, including the recently announced compact sport utility will also bear the conspicuous mask.
The C in its name, incidentally, stands for coupe or convertible. The idea behind it is to be both in a more complete way than achieved before, while excluding some of the negative points inherent in existing hardtop cabrios. The first modern-day examples of four-seat retractable hardtop convertibles are the European-only Peugeot 206 and 307 CC, plus the Renault Megane C+C, which both feature thin, disproportionate bodies that appear odd with their roofs up. Because each was based off an existing cab-forward compact car, their sharply angled windscreens often impose entry and visibility problems.
Volkswagens solution to these annoyances was to build a hardtop convertible from scratch, one meeting the criteria of four full-sized adults, a super-rigid chassis and a good looking folding hardtop roof. Its because of this checklist that the Concept C features passenger-friendly rear seat access and decent rear legroom, ensuring it will be a class leader.
Like any longer wheelbase four-seat convertible Volkswagen had to deal with structural rigidity problems, hampering driving dynamics and safety. Intense efforts were made to produce a chassis as rigid as possible without the need for additional underbody cross bracing or stiffened pillars, which add weight and bulk. VW accomplished the task, and along with a rollover protection system and four airbags it should be an extremely safe convertible.
At 173.6 inches in length, the Concept C is a fair bit larger than its photos might suggest. The proposed model is aimed at the small end of the midsize segment, and is about 4 inches smaller than Audis A4 Cabriolet. Part of the optical illusion to the C is that it is unusually wide, but features a low sleek profile. The 71.3 inch width, compact 102.4 inch long wheelbase and 51.6 inch height, plus an angled window ledge give it a wedge-like look.
Short front and rear overhangs, sporty styling and extremely large wheels also help. How large are they? The concept sports XXL-sized 19 inch alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile 235/35 rubber in front, and even larger 20 inchers on 245/35 tires in the rear. The stunning turbine-pattern partly chromed wheels are unlikely to make it to production.
The Cs intriguing five-stage folding steel and glass roof however, stands a much greater chance. The design incorporates a full-length glass panoramic roof which doubles as a tilt-and-slide sunroof. If open-aired excitement is desired, the seemingly one-piece roof follows a complex series of movements to retract and stow: the main overhead sunroof slides into its open position which is then covered by the rear windscreen and its pillars. This sandwich is lowered into the trunk and stowed away in its own protective shelf. The remaining pillars then furl up into a Z-shape pattern, and sink away into separate covered cavities which are not a part of the trunk. The process, beyond the comprehension of astrophysicists let alone the average mechanical engineer, takes about 25 seconds to complete.
Typically Volkswagens convertibles feature exterior-mounted tonneau covers, but such a design wouldnt work with a retractable hardtop design, and besides theyre a pain to deal with and hardly look sleek anymore. But that said when the roof folds up on top it leaves a sizeable trunk for toting cargo, and now that the roof resides underneath the Concept Cs skin when folded that trunk space is seriously compromised. When the roof is up an accommodating 14.13 cubic feet of luggage volume is available. Dropping the top chops the load in half, leaving just 7.06 cubic feet of volume, which is sub par to vehicles a class smaller than the Concept C. A tunnel pass through in the rear armrest allows for longer items such as skis to be transported, however.
Although VW stresses that the Concept C is a one-off purpose-built vehicle, it shares a lot of mechanical components with existing Volkswagens. The front suspension, including the struts, links, axles, and springs are carried over from the new Golf, as is the super-precise, self-centering electric power steering. Im unsure if the production version will receive alternative components for the front end and steering system, but Volkswagens investments into electric power steering probably means that the production version will use similar technology. It has also been suggested that the all-new rear suspension and chassis structure will be used to underpin the 2007 midsize Passat sedan.
Volkswagen has decided to showcase its new FSI technology in the Concept C as well. In case you havent heard, FSI is
featured in Volkswagens all-new 2.0-liter inline-four, aided by direct injection, variable valve timing and a variable intake manifold. Instead of using a traditional fuel injection system, the FSI motor injects a super-fine spray of gasoline at an extremely high pressure directly into the cylinder, helping to improve combustion which thereby boosts power and lowers emissions. Producing 150 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque, the motor is a modest yet efficient motivator with a reasonable amount of power on tap. Linking the motor to the front wheels is Volkswagens trademark dual-clutch six-speed DSG transmission, as seen in Audis TT 3.2 DSG.
In addition to the 2.0 FSI, its expected that Volkswagen will offer three alternative motors upon production, starting out with a 1.6 liter FSI that makes 115 horsepower, a light-pressure turbo version of the 2.0 FSI as shown in Genevas GTI Concept that makes 200 horsepower, with the range topped out by a 3.2 liter 250 horsepower narrow angle VR6. One diesel is slated for fitment in the production model - a 2.0 liter PD-TDI motor with 140 horsepower. Aside from the DSG transmission, the finalized vehicle will also feature a six-speed manual gearbox and a six-speed automatic, depending on engine configuration.
The Concept C is one of the best demonstrations of Volkswagens ongoing efforts to raise its image to a higher class. While Volkswagen has been known to put out high-quality interiors, features such as a two-toned interior theme of dark green (Deep Storm) and a pale beige tone (On Shore) alternating on the door trim, dashboard and throughout the interior, move the automaker up another level to an entirely new standard. The dashboard, similar in appearance to the new Golf, features a digital climate control system plus a large format LCD display for the onboard navigation.
Contoured, supportive seats with contrasting striping, plus a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel help build a sporty character inside the Concept C, while strips of glossy wood and real knurled aluminum accent the dashboard and doors. The interior isnt brave or daring compared to VWs space ship-like Concept R sibling, but the Concept C is stylish. Such an interior wouldnt be out of place in an Audi, a key point if the new VW convertible is to compete with the likes of Volvos upcoming C50 cabriolet and other high-profile luxury drop-tops.
In the western European marketplace, convertibles and coupes account for nearly 600,000 vehicles, of which Volkswagen would like to have a greater share in. Company analysts reckon that an annual sales target of 50,000 vehicles priced at E30,000 ($37,100 USD) would be about right to break even on developing and marketing costs. Fifty thousand units might sound like a small number, but considering the Cs established links with the next-generation Passat it could be feasible.
The Concept C, which could possibly adopt the name "Cabrio," has already been given the green light for production. Slight changes, including less complex headlights and taillights are expected, but its been reported the styling, for the most part, will go forward unchanged. If Volkswagen can pull off the five-stage folding roof and the sporty, luxurious interior, I have no doubt that theyll have a smash hit on their hands. To be assembled at VWs Portuguese factory as a 2006 model, we can only hope for the best that Volkswagens history of patchy reliability doesnt affect the stylish convertible-coupes chances for success.