VW’s Snowreg uses tank treads to conquer mud, sand, swamps, bogs, and – oh yeah – snow

By Nick Jaynes Published February 7, 2014

The Swedish wilderness is a harsh and unforgiving place, especially in winter. Despite this, though, World Rally Championship teams still need to go between stages during the Rally Sweden event. Usually, teams employ helicopters to hop from spot to spot.

This year, Volkswagn decided to cut its own trail. Literally. Meet the Snowreg; it’s the VW’s lifted Rally Sweden go-between.

Based upon the 4.2-liter V8 TDI-powered Touareg that makes 340 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, the Snowreg has been lifted and its four wheels replaced with 18-inch wide Mattracks. Unfortunately, due to the conversion, it won’t be able to go above 40 mph.

But despite not being able to break the U.S. Federal speed limit, it should be able to 40 mph just about anywhere. It won’t just rip through snow, the Snowreg will also, as Top Gear put it, “conquer mud, sand, swamps, bogs, and, usefully, roads.”

Now, all you have to decide is which you’d rather have: one of the beefed-up VW Amarok pickups that traversed Russia on the way to Sochi or the Snowreg.

Former Automotive Editor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

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