Automotive Crystal Ball: VW's Beduin Compact SUV on the Way

Lightweight Sport 'Ute to Incorporate Light-Duty Off-Road Capability

Riding on the coat tails of success from the popular Touareg midsize luxury sport utility vehicle, Volkswagen is making a

Volkswagen is making a second pass at the SUV market with plans for a compact SUV, based loosely off of the all-new fifth-generation Volkswagen Golf. (Photo: Volkswagen of America)

second pass at the SUV market with plans for a compact SUV, based loosely off of the all-new fifth-generation Volkswagen Golf.

All around the world, compact SUVs are proving to be a profitable market to be in. They combine the desired traits of traction, ground clearance, extra space and better visibility without the big engines, heavy weight, poor fuel consumption and clumsy on-road dynamics of larger, mid- and full-size utes.

The idea of a Golf-based SUV isn't new; the concept has been tossed about for several years now. Aside from the Touareg, VW has often toyed around with vehicles capable of

All around the world, compact SUVs are proving to be a profitable market to be in. (Photo: Artist's Rendering)

traversing off the beaten path. In the early '90s, Volkswagen offered the comical Golf Country outside of North America, a Mk. II Golf with its Syncro AWD, a raised suspension, massive spot lamps and a hatchback-mounted spare tire. It was (somewhat) capable off-road, but was the laughing stock of the range. The same concept was also applied to the '80s rear-engined Vanagons, which to this day remain cult favorites.

The idea off a Golf-based crossover resurfaced in 2003, when VW registered the rugged name, "Marrakech", however, the idea never made it past corporate bean counters that sacked it in favor of more sensible propositions.