Hanover, Germany - This according to Volkswagen, is the Swiss Army knife of light commercials.
Shown for the first time at the IAA Commercial Vehicles expo in Hanover, the Tristar concept combines the best features of the current T-Series with a glimpse of what future Transporters could look like.
Built on a T-series platform with a shortened wheelbase, the Tristar is only 4788mm long overall but 2320mm wide and just over two metres tall.
That makes it a lot smaller than the Amarok, which is 5254mm overall on a 3095mm wheelbase, with a load bed well over two metres long, and although VW doesn't quote a payload for the concept, it's unlikely to be anywhere near the Amarok's 1147kg.
What it does show, however is that Volkswagen is set to continue its Eurocentric van-based truck range despite the advent of the Amarok.
The Tristar, it says, commemorates the 30th anniversary of the first Sycro, and its off-road capability, combined with flexible loading options, make it ideal as a mobile workshop, crew transport - or a surfwagen!
The concept is also a runner, with a two-litre TDI rated for 150kW at 4000 revs and 450Nm at 1400rpm, a seven-speed DSG transmission, 4Motion permanent all-wheel drive and a mechanical rear differential lock.
It rolls on 240/70 heavy-duty rubber on special 17” alloys with a 30mm suspension lift, gets to 100km/h in 10 seconds flat and will hit 185km/h on its way to wherever the surf’s up.
The extended cab has only two seats, but they can slide fore and aft, and rotate to face each other, with a 20” tablet table as a working surface between them, as well as videoconference and sound systems, making it ideal for site meetings - it even has a built-in espresso machine!
Under the load bed, there's a lockable, dust and waterproof drawer, for tools, measuring equipment - or wetsuits.