That looks really bad ass... but my big question is are any of these actually going to get produced, when, and will they be available for the Canadian market?
I don't want automotive vapourware to become a thing. I love how 'concept' these all look and I hope they can retain much of that look into production.
Why would anyone get that VW Transporter van for hauling passengers over an Odyssey, Sienna, or Pacifica? It looks to be smaller and more expensive for less. Witness the Mercedes Metris as a similar example of why VW knew better than to bring this over here:
Now - lets get something straight - if VW brought this over in a VW California / Westfalia version for say - $60K - *that* would really kick ass.
Short of self converting a Transit/Sprinter there are zero options in that space. I've always wondered why Toyota/Honda didn't team up with someone to offer a mini RV version of their vans. They'd sell more than they think....
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to I-Hate-Hulse For This Useful Post:
__________________
The Delhi police have announced the formation of a crack team dedicated to nabbing the elusive 'Monkey Man' and offered a reward for his -- or its -- capture.
Why would anyone get that VW Transporter van for hauling passengers over an Odyssey, Sienna, or Pacifica? It looks to be smaller and more expensive for less. Witness the Mercedes Metris as a similar example of why VW knew better than to bring this over here:
Now - lets get something straight - if VW brought this over in a VW California / Westfalia version for say - $60K - *that* would really kick ass.
Short of self converting a Transit/Sprinter there are zero options in that space. I've always wondered why Toyota/Honda didn't team up with someone to offer a mini RV version of their vans. They'd sell more than they think....
I’m converting my old Honda Odyssey to a camper. No popup, more of a bed on wheels but with pullout drawers for kitchen, etc., an awning, and a bunch of portable devices - battery pack, stove, cooler, shower, etc. Good for a weekend of outdoor camping or for multi-day road trips between destinations.
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to edslunch For This Useful Post:
?
Most Caminos have a box that’s bigger than most modern trucks. With a 650-1000# payload and towing capacity well over a few thousand pounds, they’re a hell of a lot more useful than that. I see an awful lot of mostly empty beds running around town, I can’t imagine all those people are frequently carrying thousand as of pounds and towing a massive trailer.
Camino-style ‘Utes’ have been going strong in Australia for years, just lately being phased out for small box pickups.
Ok, I admit that came across as condescending because I know you're a car guy but I don't get why you would think there's anything wrong with that engine. It's perfect for the Century's clientele.
Why would anyone get that VW Transporter van for hauling passengers over an Odyssey, Sienna, or Pacifica? It looks to be smaller and more expensive for less. Witness the Mercedes Metris as a similar example of why VW knew better than to bring this over here:
The real downfall of the Metris was not being Mercedes-enough. Fill that thing with leather, slap in a 45AMG engine and charge more for it and I bet it would have sold way better.
We covered this earlier in this thread recently, but there are ton of families where a minivan is unquestionably the most practical option. Minivans don't sell partly due to poor marketing of the segment by the manufacturers (they're poorly perceived), but I also feel they're shunned by a huge portion of buyers for lack of brand prestige. I would suppose the Sienna is the most prestigious minivan on the market (even if it's not, the point stands) and it's from the most boring, beige-Camry marque out there. Chrysler and Honda are no better... I would bet that there would be many more soccer moms willing to drive a Sienna if it had a Lexus "L" on the front and costing 40% more would probably help too. Instead, those same buyers compromise practicality to drive Q7s, X5s, GLEs, etc...
Last edited by you&me; 06-17-2021 at 07:52 PM.
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to you&me For This Useful Post:
Completely agree, Mercedes needs to make the Metris a luxury van, not the plastic fantastic poor value base model it is now. People are much more likely to overpay for something with snob appeal.
Funnily enough, the much nicer version already exists elsewhere. It’s called the V class/Viano and feels like a proper Mercedes inside. Just bring that (and while you’re at it, bring the Marco Polo version too).
Lol, the Doug DeMunro video on the Metris is absolutely hilarious.
After watching that I went and looked up what a used metrics is going for. You can get two fully loaded older and used Caravans with more features for the price of one of the junk Metrises. Hilarious. Who in Mercedes thought of sending that POS over to the most competitive vehicle market in NA? They should be fired.
I still don't think a luxury van would sell. Everyone was convinced they wanted to "sit up. high" and now everyone wants to sit up high so they can see around all the other things that are high.
