They may be dead, but unicabs are coming back big
Did you know that right now, you cannot buy a new half-ton bakkie in South Africa? As a species, they are basically extinct since Nissan called time on the venerable NP200 last year. But there’s a revolution coming, one that will see the half-ton, or unibody bakkie explode back to prominence, and it’s about to start happening soon.
Of course, this major hole in the South African car market was once a vibrant sector. Fought out between the Ford Bantam, Opel Corsa Utility, Mazda Rustler, Volkswagen Caddy, and Datsun 1400 among Fiats, Protons, and other half-tonners. Now even the Datsun’s ageing and somewhat agricultural Dacia-based Nissan NP200 descendant is gone.
So vans, or bottom-end one-tonners are the only choice that the many other entry bakkie buyers have had since the demise of the segment. Rather than those preferred smaller bakkies. But now it seems that among SA’s favourite half-tonners are coming back. And apparently in a bigger variety of choice than we’ve ever known, complete with luxury double cabs this time, too.
First things first, meet FIat’s half-ton Strada
Taking a closer look at what’s coming, let’s first consider what we know is on its way. Fiat is the first to confirm a new half-tonner for South Africa. Its Brazilian Strada is nothing new to this market, having served here ten to twenty years ago. Of course it’s evolved handsomely with new Fiat Toro looks, and it will come as single and double cabs too.
Fiat has already confirmed that this latest Strada will come to SA in single and double cabs, with a payload of ‘between 650 and 720 kg’ and ‘up to 1,354 litres’ of load volume in the single-cab. Packing stability control, hill start assist, and TC+ in ‘a cocoon of comfort and safety in an elegant, versatile and reliable workhorse.’
Most intriguing about Strada, however, is that it may well be built right here in the new Stellantis plant being commissioned at Coega in Gqeberha. We know that they will build a bakkie there, but we don’t know if it will be the new Changan-based Peugeot Landtrek sibling Titano, or if it will be this Strada.
Strada’s half-ton sibling to Rampage into SA?
Should it indeed be the Strada, that opens up another intriguing prospect. See, Strada is twinned with the forthcoming Ram Rampage that’s already confirmed for South America, possibly the US and Europe and elsewhere too. So to build both on a shared Coega line seems to make some sense. And give Stellantis reason to launch Ram here too.
Former Chrysler brand Ram is better known for its full size trucks. The Rampage is designed specifically for the South American market, which is big on unibody bakkies. Unlike a conventional Hilux, Ranger or similar with a body and a bak atop a ladder frame, unibodies are car based in a single monocoque construction. The bed and the cab are one.
Ram’s first ever unicab, Rampage is said to be a game-changer. Expect the choice of a 145 kW 330 Nm 2-litre flex-fuel turbo petrol Tigershark four-pot, the Toro’s 125 kW 380 Nm 2-litre turbodiesel and a 147 kW 440 Nm 2.2-litre oil burner later. Plus optional on-demand all-wheel drive, MacPherson front and coil sprung rear suspension.
Oroch. Renault’s on-again off-again half-tonner
Before we move on to more speculation, let’s first consider Renault’s bakkie plans for South Africa. They make for interesting reading. Three times confirmed and twice delayed, the Oroch also comes in both single, and a little double cab to satisfy demand in the South American market, where like its Fiat Strada rival, it sells well.
The Renault Oroch comes in the choice of a couple of naturally-aspirated front-wheel drive 81 kW 1.6-litre five-speed manual and a six-speed manual 103 kW 2-litre petrols in South America. There’s also the proven 1.5 dCi turbodiesel with either that 6-hooker or a 4-cog auto, and the option of output-rationing all-wheel drive too.
The only question remains is if, and then when the half-ton Renault Oroch will actually come to South Africa? Even more puzzling is why it’s not already here, taking full advantage of a well proven market segment ready to take full advantage of every spare unit that comes available.
Is there a Toyota Stout on the SA Horizon?
Right, let’s get on with the speculation. None of these next few bakkies exist yet. There are rumours, but all these carmakers are playing their half-ton cards close to their chests. Albeit an EV, Toyota has already shown a half-ton concept. So let’s start with the Toyota Stout. The story started when Toyota registered the Stout name for a half-ton pickup truck.
Reputable sources suggest the Corolla Cross based pickup will arrive around 2027. Already built all across the globe including South Africa, the GA-C is platform is available in all-wheel drive. And it’s already built as a hybrid too. Which plausibly suggests South African Stout production alongside Hilux, Fortuner, and Corolla Cross.
A monocoque TNGA GA-C based bakkie would be a little larger than traditional half tonners. It’s big enough for a double cab, a clever extendable cab and single cab. It’d come in petrol and hybrid, with top models even offering all-wheel drive. So keep an eye on this one. It is a real prospect for a smart little brother for King Hilux…
What about VW Polo-based half-ton bakkie?
Volkswagen South Africa makes no bones about the fact that it’s planning a third line alongside its Polo and Vivo operation at Kariga. VWSA CEO Martina Biene promised as much when she picked up the reins a year ago: “There’s room for a lower-cost model in the market, aimed at South Africa and the rest of Africa.
“We are looking at the option of a half-ton bakkie. There’s scope for a third model at our Kariega plant and the Polo platform is already localised in South Africa. We’d need 20,000 domestic market sales a year of to foot the bill to develop a right-hand-drive vehicle.” Whatever a third VWSA variant turns out to be, it will likely be co-developed with Brazil on the current Polo platform. Such a vehicle has not yet been revealed.
The arrival of a third VWSA line however hinges on developments in Europe and elsewhere. Euro VII emission regulations proposed from 2025 added significant cost and complication to vehicles produced in South Africa and shipped north. But the significant recent slackening of Euro 7 emissions regulations now makes such a project far more viable.
Is a Polo-based Ford Bantam coming too?
There’s a most interesting aside to the Polo bakkie story. Volkswagen and Ford already share a great deal of commercial vehicle commonality. The SA-built Amarok shares its heart with the Ford Ranger. And the next VW Transporter will be based on the new Ford Transit, too. So it’s no wild stretch of the imagination to dream up a Polo based new Ford Bantam.
US Ford suits have also suggested the need for a half-ton Ford bakkie for South Africa and other VW ‘Combustion Belt’ markets. So it seems almost natural that should Volkswagen run a Polo-based half-ton bakkie project out of Kariga, that it could also make Fords. All based on the next step of the existing Polo’s MQB A0 platform and pretty much a Polo inside.
That would likely see a choice of single and double cab Volkswagen and Ford Bantam unicab bakkies. They’d be powered by old school 1.6-litre petrol base models, VW’s turbo litre triple, and maybe even a 147 Kw 2-litre turbo petrol for flagship GTI and ST, or Raptor models. With the choice of 5 and 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT gearboxes and front or all-wheel drive.
But wait, what about Hyundai Santa Cruz?
There’s another half tonner that’s already out there. And should there be a run on unicab bakkies, all Hyundai need do is build a right hand-drive version of its sexy US market Santa Fe and import it. Like the Fiat and the Opel above, this one already exists. So it’s a pretty simple solution should Hyundai need to find a half-ton bakkie pronto.
Unlike most unicabs out there and on the horizon however, the Hyundai is pretty upmarket. Expect the choice of a pair of turbo 205 kW 420 Nm 8-speed double-clutch and naturally aspirated 141 kW 244 Nm 8-speed automatic 2.5-litre four-pots. Both models get ‘HTRAC’ electronic variable torque clutch-split all-wheel-drive.
So, there you have it. There may not be a half-ton bakkie to buy in South Africa right now. But that’s about to change. And about to change fast. The unicab bakkie revolution is coming. It’s set to reinvigorate a market segment that really should never have died in the first place. – Michele Lupini
Renderings: Michele Lupini