The all-new Volkswagen Pickup concept has debuted at the the IAA in Hanover.

The new model belongs to the one-tonne pickup class and will go into production at the end of 2009. 

The Pickup is all-new in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles line-up and is the first commercial vehicle to be designed under Volkswagen Group design chief, Walter de Silva’s command. 

"It exhibits what is referred to as ‘historical DNA’, in other words design elements which link it to other group models and give it a distinctive yet familiar appearance."

The concept measures 5.18 metres in length and is 1.9 metres wide, and with four doors and four seats it is ideal for recreational or business use. 

The Pickup also has the ability to take a standard-sized Euro pallet sideways in the flat cargo bed. 

The Pickup on show at the IAA has been designed for use as a ‘Search and Rescue’ (SAR) vehicle by lifeguards and was conceptualised following consultation with emergency services as well as in-house emergency vehicle specialists. 

As a result it features, among a host of other features, GPS, a multifunction touchscreen infotainment unit, CB radios, a number of chassis and all-wheel drive functions, a compass, flashlights, a defibrillator and binoculars.

Life jackets, rescue buoys, fire extinguishers, blankets and a tool kit are also all incorporated. 

It will be built at Volkswagen’s ‘Pacheco’ plant in Argentina and introduced initially to markets in Europe, South America, South Africa and Australia.

The engine range includes new common rail turbodiesel units.

Whether the ‘SAR’ vehicle will go into production is not yet decided.

(Source: Volkswagen)