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Volkswagen Tristar Concept Revealed in Hanover, Previews T6 Transporter

Volkswagen might be the biggest car company in Europe, but they have a booming commercial vehicle business as well, one which revolves around the T5 and its practical variants. At the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, the Germans unveiled a funky-looking pickup concept called the Tristar, which has the secondary role of previewing the T6's desgin.
Volkswagen Tristar Concept 10 photos
Photo: Volkswagen
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The Tristar is built as a van-based pickup and celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Syncro concept. Its extended cab bodywork will remind everybody of the first T1 pickups and some of the details hint at other predecessors. The taillights, for example, are like a modern twist on the T3, which was probably the most successful van model of its time.

Power comes from a new 2-liter TDI engine rated at 204 PS (150 kW) and 450 Nm (331 lb-ft) of torque. This in turn is connected to a seven-speed DSG transmission and a 4Motion all-wheel drive system, which enable relatively brisk acceleration of 0 to 100 km in 10 seconds and a top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph).

"The Tristar shows an unprecedented combination of all the good features of the T model series. It demonstrates its potential and proves it is still the ultimate benchmark." said Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Chairman Dr. Eckhard Scholz.

Volkswagen says the Tristar concept features 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a pulling winch and 30 mm of extra ground clearance compared to a regular Transporter. The cabin is fitted with an exporess machine and a large 20-inch tablet that helps your creative ideas flow better. A "state-of-the-art" video conferencing system basically turns this truck into a mobile office for architects.

When Is the T6 Transporter Coming Out?

In 2003, Volkswagen introduced the T5 generation. The model received a heavy facelift in 2009, with Passat-like headlights, new common-rail TDI engines and a DSG7 gearbox being added.

Its replacement is already in development, having been seen on multiple occasions testing in Spain. The expected launch date is in the latter part of 2015, most likely during the Frankfurt Motor Show. Following the Hanover reveal of the Tristar, Volkswagen has released an official statement saying the T6 will arrive in the "foreseeable future". Howver, we stand by our estimate for a late 2015 launch, based on recent spy photos.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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