Tiguan is a baby Touareg

Volkswagen had the foresight to get into the China market in the 80s, and at this year’s Shanghai motorshow, it launched the Neeza concept car, a crossover vehicle that has been designed and built specially for the China market. Although it looks like a 4x4, it is only front-wheel driven. Looking like a Passat wagon with a raised suspension, the Neeza has a spacious cabin that has front seats that can be rotated to face the rear ones. The rear doors are rear hinged (like those of the Mazda RX-8) for easier access, and there is a panoramic glass roof for a brighter interior. There is also a ‘magic box’ that provides a central interface for the radio, sat-nav, built-in phone and personal organiser. The name Neeza is derived from ‘Ner-zha’, the mythical child-warrior that fought with spears and ringed weapons, and overthrew tyrant kings and evil spirits. If the concept proves popular, the Neeza could be the first in a new series of Asian VWs, designed and built exclusively for the Asian markets.

Taking a radical departure from anything it has done before, Volkswagen will be showing the dramatic Nanospyder at the forthcoming Los Angeles Motorshowshow. This futuristic two-seater is the work of three designers from VW’s Design Center in Santa Monica, and is designed to address issues that confront the traffic situation that LA would face in the future, especially pressures on the environment. This being the case, the Nanospyder is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, uses solar power, has wheel-mounted electric motors and features organic body panels that enlarge and contract when needed. Lets hope some aspects of this futuristic concept car find their way into a production model – perhaps a new Karmann-Ghia convertible, based on the Beetle!

Proton and Lotus has jumped onto the [I]wagen[/I] with Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Seat, Skoda and Bugatti. Volkswagen has bought a controlling stake (51 percent) in Proton. An official annoucement is expected on 8 Feb. General Motors had earlier been linked to a deal involving buying a controlling stake in Proton and Lotus (which is owned by Proton), but it seems that the VeeDub has beaten it to securing the deal.