by A New Pickup from Volkswagen
Volkswagen is preparing to expand its lineup of commercial vehicles for South America with a new model called the Tukan. Production is set to begin next year, and if the first hints are to be believed, it could turn out to be a very good compact pickup. There is even a possibility that it will be relevant outside this region.
Named after the toucan, one of the most recognizable birds of the region, the VW Tukan has so far only been shown in fragments.
We saw a short platform painted in canary yellow, actively emphasizing the bird theme. There are no full shots of the front or rear yet, so the car’s full appearance remains a mystery for now.
Possible Appearance of the Tukan
This hasn’t stopped designers from imagining what the new Tukan might look like. If it is even roughly similar to these images, it could become popular with local buyers, as it combines traditional pickup toughness with softer influences from crossovers and SUVs.
The overall proportions will likely echo the 2018 Tarok concept, although the production version will probably get a front-end design closer to recent VW crossovers like the Tiguan and T-Roc.
At the front, the Tukan is expected to have sharp headlights connected by a fixed LED light bar. A silver protective plate is located under the large black grille. The Volkswagen teaser also confirms the presence of black plastic wheel arches, and the same plastic is expected to run along the sills.
On the sides, the Tukan may get black door handles and pillars combined with a contrasting black roof. Roof rails seem to extend back from the cabin to the cargo bed, making the profile more cohesive. At the rear, the tailgate might have the Tukan name embossed, and the lower bumper could be finished in black and silver tones.
Unlike the Tarok concept, which used a full-width rear light bar, the production Tukan is expected to get more traditional square LED light units.
Interestingly, there are rumors that alongside the four-door version, Volkswagen might offer a single-cab, two-door variant with a longer bed.
Familiar Platform
The Tukan will most likely be based on the MQB A0 platform, which it will share with the T-Cross model. In Brazil, this will put it in direct competition with compact unibody rivals such as the Fiat Toro, Renault Oroch, Chevrolet Montana, Ram Rampage, and even the Ford Maverick.
Volkswagen has not yet confirmed technical details, but the platform points to a range of small inline-four engines. It is reported that VW’s new flexible-fuel 1.5 eTSI Evo2 engine could debut on the Tukan. This unit, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produces 150 hp and 250 Nm of torque.
There are also rumors that a simpler 1.6-liter four-cylinder variant is being considered for base trims. The official unveiling is expected by the end of this year, with production planned to start in 2027.
The arrival of the Tukan could significantly enliven the compact pickup segment in South America, where such vehicles are traditionally in high demand due to their versatility. The model’s success will depend not only on design but also on the final pricing policy and technical characteristics, especially in the context of stiff competition from already established models. If Volkswagen can offer a compelling combination of price, quality, and modern technologies like a hybrid powertrain, the Tukan has every chance of capturing its share of the market.
