The new Volkswagen Tukan small bakkie – a version of which has been earmarked for production in South Africa – has finally been fully revealed in Brazil…
- Volkswagen unwraps its new Tukan in Brazil
- Both single- and double-cab variants revealed
- Localised version earmarked for SA production
Volkswagen’s division in Brazil has finally fully revealed the new VW Tukan small bakkie, which will be built at the São José dos Pinhais factory from 2027 though has also been earmarked for production in South Africa further down the line.
As a reminder, earlier in 2026, Martina Biene, Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Africa, confirmed to Bloomberg that a localised version of the Tukan could potentially be manufactured at the Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape from around 2029.
Now that very bakkie – which could, of course, end up wearing an entirely different name should it eventually be offered here in Mzansi – has been revealed in South America, billed as a replacement for the long-running Saveiro. Set to officially hit the market in Brazil in the opening half of 2027, VW unveiled its new Tukan in both single- and double-cab form, though has yet to release images of the interior.
The Wolfsburg-based automaker has also not yet announced any technical information, so details on exterior dimensions, powertrain options and indeed payload capacities remain entirely unconfirmed. Still, VW has said the newcomer’s rear suspension set-up includes a rigid axle and leaf springs to facilitate “excellent load capacity”.
The Tukan single cab was revealed in “Robust” trim, featuring basic white paint, steel wheels and plenty of black plastic cladding up front. Equipped with a shorter cab and a longer cargo bed, this workhorse model has what Volkswagen’s Brazilian arm describes as a “work-oriented focus”.
The double-cab version, meanwhile, was unveiled in flagship “Extreme” guise. Painted in the Tukan’s “Canary Yellow” launch colour and featuring an obviously shorter load bay, this highly specified “lifestyle” model is equipped with alloy wheels, a styling bar and various exterior styling updates.
So, will a localised version of this bakkie (which has an internal codename of “Udara”) eventually be built in SA and sold locally? While such an investment has not yet been officially announced, it’s worth keeping in mind the new VW Tukan rides on the brand’s MQB platform, which also underpins the upcoming Tengo, a small crossover scheduled to start rolling off the Kariega production line – alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo hatchbacks – next year.
Back in October 2024, Biene told Cars.co.za the planned SA-built small bakkie that was to be spun off the new Tengo had hit something of a roadblock. Still, Biene didn’t rule out the possibility of eventually building some sort of pick-up at the Kariega plant, calling on South Africans to make their voices heard should they be keen to buy such a vehicle.
Then, earlier in 2026, Biene told Bloomberg that Volkswagen’s head office in Wolfsburg had already approved a plan to build a small bakkie in South Africa, though suggested the ultimate decision on this potential investment would hinge on long-awaited policy action from South Africa’s government…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the new Volkswagen Tukan and what variants have been revealed?
A: The Volkswagen Tukan is a new compact bakkie designed as a replacement for the Saveiro. Revealed in Brazil, the line-up features both a workhorse single-cab in basic “Robust” trim with a long load bed and steel wheels, and a lifestyle double-cab shown in top-tier “Extreme” specification with Canary Yellow paint, alloy wheels and a styling bar.
Q: What platform and chassis details have been confirmed for the VW Tukan?
A: The Tukan is built on Volkswagen’s MQB unibody architecture. To maximise utility and load capacity, its rear suspension is fitted with a rigid axle and leaf springs rather than a traditional torsion-beam setup. Official cabin photos, exact exterior dimensions, engine specs and payload ratings have not yet been released.
Q: Is the Volkswagen Tukan confirmed for production or release in South Africa?
A: While not yet officially confirmed for SA production, a localised version is seemingly under strong consideration. Volkswagen Group Africa management indicated that local assembly at the Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape could potentially begin around 2029.
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