New baby ute part of Volkswagen’s future
Volkswagen has revealed the Tarok Concept – a new small ute – in Brazil. And it is possible it could come to New Zealand.
While the company already builds a small car-based ute (the Saveiro, based on the tiny and ancient VW Golf) for some markets, Volkswagen says the new concept is positioned below the Amarok and is based on its MQB platform, just like the Tiguan SUV.
One of the ute’s interesting innovations is its ‘‘multivariable loading area’’ that, in just a couple of simple steps, can be significantly extended thanks to the folding rear panel of the double cab.
The Tarok is also a proper one-tonner, or at least close to it, with VW claiming that the maximum load is ‘‘around one tonne.’’
While the Tarok Concept is powered by a 1.4-litre 110kW four-cylinder engine (hooked up to a 6-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive) the production model will kick off with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel direct injection engine that also delivers 110kW.
Volkswagen has said it will soon be offering the production version of the Tarok Concept on the market in Brazil, with barely any changes and that it ‘‘also has the potential to boost Volkswagen’s model range in other global markets’’.
Other regions buy a lot of utes, presumably, giving us hope that the rise of the small, carbased ute may be something that the New Zealand market could be part of.