MT Poll: Should Volkswagen’s U.S. Future Include a Microbus-Like Van, Phaeton Luxury Sedan, or Scirocco Two-Door?

Despite Volkswagen’s ambitious long-term sales goals, desirable global VWs like the current-generation Scirocco and the Amarok aren’t expected to ever make it to our shores. With a new Automotive News report taking a look at Volkswagen’s future over the next few years, we’ve pinpointed the Microbus-inspired Bulli family van, the next-generation Scirocco, and the upcoming Phaeton as cars that may actually reach U.S. showrooms. With constrained development budgets, though, all three are anything but sure bets, so among the Phaeton luxury sedan, Scirocco sports coupe, and Bulli family van, which would you want in the U.S.?

While some suggest Volkswagen may have aimed too high with the first-generation Phaeton, Hyundai has proved with the Equus that a luxury flagship from a non-luxury brand can succeed at low volumes. A new Phaeton could be offered as a sedan or coupe-like four-door and as early as September 2011, we reported that the new car will see a price drop, possibly between that of the Audi A6 and A8. Given what we’ve seen with base prices of cars like the U.S.-spec Jetta and Passat, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the new Phaeton be more of a value than before. Powertrain options could include anything from a hybrid to diesels and even, perhaps, a revised version of the 2013 Audi S8′s 512-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8. The redone Phaeton will have its European debut in 2015.

The Volkswagen Bulli is a big question mark. The concept unveiled in 2011 was an ultra-stylish six-seater, but with the Chrysler-based Routan likely on its way out by 2014, it’s unclear just how large Volkswagen would engineer a three-row Bulli. Should a Volkswagen-engineered three-row Bulli van compete with real minivans like the Chrysler Town & Country and the Honda Odyssey or should the automaker leave the seven-seat people-mover segment to the upcoming midsize crossover? The report predicts the Bulli could go into production in 2014 or 2015, though a Volkswagen spokesman previously told us that while the Bulli is “still being badgered about … if we want to grow our brand we’ve got to be in segments that matter right now.”

Of course, we can’t forget about the Scirocco. While many U.S. enthusiasts have clamored for the stylish sports coupe, it’s unclear how many would actually help Volkswagen justify the expense of importing the car in addition to the GTI hatch. Nevertheless, the Scirocco may return to the U.S. after it’s redesigned around the 2016 calendar year.

As we were reminded when Volkswagen representatives visited our offices about a month ago, niche products aren’t the company’s focus. Still, that can’t stop us from considering what products may work in the U.S. Between the next-generation Phaeton, Scirocco, and Bulli, which would you like to see in the U.S.? Vote in our poll below.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)