However, while the Land...

However, while the Land Rover looks familiar, the newcomer bears little re-semblance to the rest of the VW family. In fact, with huge cut-away wheel- arches and massive alloys, exposed suspension, bulging wings and a rear-mounted spare wheel, it looks more like a Paris-Dakar racer than a normal 4x4.

And these aren"t the only wacky styling features. The Concept T has clever "floating" lamps front and rear, a removable two-section roof incorporating a T-bar and rear hard-top, plus scissor-style doors. And can you see the two exhaust pipes? They are built into the back of the bodywork, next to the tail-lamps, to boost the ground clearance.

Inside, the driver and passenger sit in flexible aluminium seats. Satin-effect, dirt-resistant plastics feature throughout the cabin, although the hard-wearing trim can be swapped for leather panels when the vehicle is being used for in-town cruising rather than off-roading.

The Concept T also boasts a range of state-of-the-art technology. Driving information is projected on to a head-up display, while a dash-mounted palm- top computer operates functions such as the stereo and climate control. This unit is removable, so the owner can use the sat-nav system while hiking.

Under the bonnet of the Concept T is the Golf R32"s 3.2-litre V6 unit. Power is fed to all wheels by VW"s 4Motion system via a Tiptronic gearbox.