VW of China Pens the Neeza Compact Crossover Concept
This is Volkswagens breathtaking Neeza Concept, a vehicle that was designed for the Auto China motorshow in Beijing. It was designed completely by Volkswagens Chinese division for its unique marketplace.
On first glance, it looks a lot like a Volkswagen-ified version of the Audi Q7, with a similar, sleek profile, albeit featuring a Wolfsburg-esque nose, lights and tail end. Visual jewelry includes a full-length glass panoramic roof as well as suicide doors for unobstructed access to the cabin.
For the interior design, Volkswagen blended old-world China with modern automotive interior themes. The cabin is finished in undertones of red and silver, akin to a traditional Chinese silk scarf, which contrasts with the "floating" seats and vibrant blue-purple mood lighting.
A 180-degree swiveling front passenger seat allows the Neeza to be turned into a lounge. The interior is very minimalist and has little by the way of gadgets; the owner is supposed to plug in his or her own portable stereo system, PDA or handheld GPS system.
It may look like a copy of the Audi Q7, but the Neeza isnt the R-Class-sized family-carrier that people originally thought it was. In fact, if anything it can be considered a bit of a baby as its underpinnings are based off of the compact PQ35 platform which combines the length of a Rabbit/Jetta with the width and track layout of a Passat. The PQ35 is already being used on the Eos folding hardtop convertible and the upcoming Tiguan compact SUV, plus the Scirocco sports coupe.
VW withheld information regarding the Neezas drivetrain on the concept car, but given that it has a good chance of being produced by 2010, its been suggested that the Chinese-market car will probably get a small displacement 1.6- or 2.0-liter inline-four driving the front wheels in order to make it affordable to purchase and economical to run.
Due to the number of shared components with other Volkswagen products, if the Neeza is green-lighted for Western sales it would gain the 2.0T FSI engine at the very minimum, with an upgrade to the 3.6L FSI V6 powering a choice of front- or all-wheel drivetrains.
In terms of production vehicle introductions, Volkswagen will also be bringing out a new product for its Chinese customers called the Bora HS. This is the fourth-generation Golf (recently reintroduced to Canadians as the affordable City Golf), though modifications have been made. The nose has been revamped in a similar style to modern VW products with the VW bib (in body color), previous-generation Passat-style headlamps and low-mounted turn signal indicators. The interior of the Bora HS is the same. Volkswagen has also strengthened the torsional rigidity of the frame to improve its noise insulation and impact protection. VWs updated Golf, sold here as the Rabbit, is not currently sold in China.