Do Tarok patent secrets out new made in SA VWs, Fords?
Who remembers the Volkswagen Tarok concept? The half-ton bakkie idea that was promised to Brazil in 2020 already? Well, Auto has long speculated that while the concept was based on a bigger version of VW’s MQB Modular Transverse Matrix underpinnings, that it somehow made more sense to use the company’s smaller A0 platform.
Now following some patent office news and fresh speculation overseas, it seems that someone was listening. Reading between the lines, this new, smaller bakkie is now set for 2026 release. But using the A0 chassis after all. And joining the dots, it could also very well be the vehicle that will be built on Volkswagen South Africa’s mooted third production line at its Kariega plant.
Getting back to the Tarok concept, it projects a new VW bakkie to sit below the Amarok. Yet at 4.90 meters long and riding on an almost 3 metre wheelbase, and capable of carrying over a ton, the unibody concept still seems pretty close to its chassis cab big brother.
Exciting Tarok concept plans ran aground
The Tarok concept (above) is powered by 110 kW 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine. It's fuelled either by gasoline, pure ethanol, or mixed fuel in its Brazil home market. It turns permanent all-wheel drive via a six-speed automatic transmission. Expect a further hybrid concept before eventual market launch
Carrying current Volkswagen commercial body styling trends, Tarok's cabin features a coloured strip across the dash. It boasts a glass-covered infotainment and multi-mode digital instruments.
While originally proposed production in ‘almost unchanged’ trim from 2020, it is now suggested that codename VW247 will probably not arrive until 2026. It will also be called Volkswagen Udara, rather than Tarok when it comes, following a German Patent Office application last week. Which application also hints that production versions will apparently shrink slightly, compared to the Tarok study.
Is Tarok now coming on a Polo platform?
Furthermore, the new Udara will now after all be based on Volkswagen’s smaller MQB A0 platform. And therefor, German reports suggest, also closely related to the VW T-Cross. The A0 platform however also happens to be what underpins the Kariega, South Africa built Polo. Now hold that thought for a second.
The patent application in Germany also suggests that the Udara would also be offered outside of South America. Where exactly it will be built and sold, also remains a mystery. Although to Europe and North America are also mentioned alongside Brazil in those German reports.
Now this is where it gets interesting. As exclusively reported by Auto on several occasions, Volkswagen South Africa makes no bones about its intent to build a third MQB AO line at Kariga (above), alongside its existing Polo and Vivo production. Which already bears credence to there still being an as yet invisible link to Kariga in these Udara plans.
VW, Ford already in a sweaty bakkie affair
Now taking this one step further, Volkswagen already shares the bulk of its commercial lines with Ford. Amarok is built alongside Ranger in Pretoria, while Ranger is also built in Thailand for western hemisphere markets. And in Mexico for the US and South America. The new Transit van will also share spit with the Volkswagen Kombi bus range from later this year.
So, considering all of the above, and that Brazil will already likely build the Volkswagen Udara, what are the odds that this now A0-based bakkie would also be built at Kariga for export to Europe and elsewhere? And taking that yet another step further, considering VW and Ford’s already sweaty commercial relationship, will Udara also spawn the Ford that we have been calling New Bantam (above)?
All of this South African talk remains pure speculation. For now, that is. However, there are too may dots now out there to avoid joining them in speculation. What we also now have, is a date. Somehow Auto now expects that our prophecy of A0-based Volkswagens and Fords pouring out of Kariega from 2026 is starting to gain credence rather rapidly … – Michele Lupini
Bantam, Caddy renderings: Michele Lupini
