These days, Volkswagen is not a manufacturer that many people associate with off-roading, especially in North America. The closest thing to a true off-road SUV in Volkswagen’s stateside lineup is the VW Atlas, which is a front-wheel drive-based family crossover and likely wouldn’t make it too far over seriously rough terrain.
But Volkswagen’s heritage is littered with innovative off-road engineering achievements. Although most of the innovations were developed for military purposes–quite unscrupulous purposes in some instances–Volkswagen’s four-wheel drive accomplishments laid the groundwork for Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive system.
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Volkswagen
You may or may not be surprised to learn that Volkswagen’s past is rich with rugged, off-road capability. The Volkswagen Type 82 Kübelwagen, for example, was a WWII-era light military vehicle based on the Beetle, designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche. The utility vehicle had several different variants, including the Schwimmwagen, a four-wheel-drive amphibious vehicle. The Kübelwagen was eventually sold to the public as a civilian vehicle, the Type 181, known as the ‘Thing’ in North America.
In the late 1970s, Volkswagen developed the Type 183, better known as the Iltis, which saw the engine moved up front instead of over the rear axle and employed a more advanced four-wheel drive system.
This light military vehicle was also manufactured in Canada under license for their armed forces by Bombardier and served the country until 2005, when it was replaced with the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, according to The Royal Canadian Artillery Museum. Its four-wheel drive system was eventually used by Audi–in heavily modified form–under their Group B rally car, which led it to immense victory and ultimately legendary status.
Ronan Glon
Today, Volkswagen off-roaders are non-existent in North America
The closest thing you’ll find to contemporary Volkswagen off-roaders on North American trails are jacked up, early-model Touaregs. Even so, most of the examples that ever do leave paved roads are heavily modified to enhance off-road capability. With the popularity of dedicated four-wheel drive models like the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Toyota 4Runner, it seems like VW is missing out on an opportunity to capitalize on its rugged heritage.
In global markets, however, Volkswagen actually offers a midsize pickup truck named the Amarok. Underneath, the Amarok shares its platform with the Ford Ranger, and is even available with some of the Ranger’s powertrains. But, thanks to the Chicken Tax, Volkswagen can’t import the Amarok to our shores without being heavily tariffed.
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Volkswagen
If VW were to develop a North American-specific off-roader, what could it look like?
Although the contemporary Ford Ranger was not available in North America for many years, it was reintroduced in 2019, when the automaker decided it was worth building them here once again. The Ranger midsize pickup truck is now being built at Ford’s plant in Wayne, Michigan, alongside the Bronco. Could this plant be used as an opportunity for Volkswagen to offer their own off-roaders with shared platforms?
If so, this could spawn a Volkswagen off-road SUV, sharing a platform with the Ford Ranger and Bronco that could play off the brand’s rich tactical heritage to create exciting products and diversify its model lineup. It could compete directly against the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Toyota 4Runner, with a four-door version badged as an ‘Iltis’ and a two-door version badged as the ‘Thing’.
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Although an all-new Volkswagen Iltis would share its platform with the Ford Bronco and likely its powertrains, we can’t help but imagine how exciting it would be with a TDI turbodiesel engine or perhaps even a raspy-sounding VR6. The four-door version would feature a hard top, whereas the two-door variant would feature a removable top and doors, much like the Bronco and Wrangler.
On the inside, while also employing a similar layout to the Bronco, unique enhancements such as houndstooth-patterned upholstery and army green accents to remind buyers of its more tactical, military roots. The offering of a manual transmission seems obligatory, too.
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The two-door version, named the ‘Thing’, could switch things up a bit, offering less of a hardened, military-esque feel, and more of a fun, California beach cruiser type of vibe. With a removable top and doors, bright, warm color options, and a more premium-feeling interior, the two-door ‘Thing’ could give Wranglers a competitive run for their money and approach the body style differently from the more rugged two-door Bronco.
With larger-diameter alloy wheels, less noisy tires, and a slightly altered front fascia, the two-door version could be distinct from its four-door counterpart, therefore justifying the different name and adding more variety to the brand’s offerings.
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Final thoughts
The overarching theme here is that Volkswagen’s North American lineup could benefit from some more diversity and just generally from adding more fun and exciting models to its menu. As it stands, the marque’s stateside lineup consists mainly of four-cylinder powered, front-wheel drive-based crossovers, with the exception of the Golf’s performance hatchback models, the Jetta sedan, and the pricey ID. Buzz electric van.
Adding a dedicated off-roader, using the same shared Ford platform already used under the Amarok, would bring some much-needed color to VW’s lineup with cost-effective, platform-sharing production methods.
Do you think that VW could benefit from such off-road models as the proposed ‘Iltis’ and ‘Thing’, or do you think the marque should continue to focus the vast majority of its efforts on EV development? Let us know how you feel in the comments!
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