Volkswagen Brazil has revealed a funky pickup called the Tarok Concept, at the Sao Paulo International Motor Show.
The Tarok Concept evolves the design of the Tanoak Concept, first previewed at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year, and is set to be positioned below the Amarok, and sold exclusively in Brazil.
Volkswagen has succeeded in merging the practical advantages of the Tarok Concept with a lifestyle-oriented design. Klaus Bischoff, Head Designer at the Volkswagen brand, explains: “With its striking Targa-inspired roof bar, charismatic front end, three-dimensional LED lighting strip in the rear, and powerful yet stylish side panels, the Tarok Concept’s expressive design makes it the first pick-up to combine the stylistic elements of an urban SUV with an authentic off-road design.” Bischoff continues: “The Tarok’s DNA adds an exhilarating dynamic to the segment.”
The all-wheel drive concept rides on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, and uses a 1.4-litre 110kw four-cylinder TSI engine, which can be driven as a TotalFlex Fuel Unit both with pure ethanol (E100) as well as a gasoline-ethanol blend (E22). However, the production pickup will swap out this motor for a 110kw 2.0-litre turbo diesel mill. The TSI engine in the Tarok Concept is also combined with a 6-speed automatic transmission and permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive.
The interior indicates a new way forward for Volkswagen in the pick-up segment, with its primarily digital design. Eye-catching elements include a colour-keyed crossbar in Cypress Metallic that stretches across the entire dash panel. This crossbar surrounds a glass-covered Infotainment system, digital air conditioning controls and a Digital Cockpit, which together form the main cockpit elements with all displays and controls on a single visual and operational axis.
One important design feature in the five-seater Tarok Concept is its variable loading area concept. The floor space can be extended by opening the tailgate or using the brand new mechanism that allows the bottom of the passenger cab rear panel to be folded down. As a result, drivers can also use the back of the cab to transport extra-long items. Analogous to this variability, the maximum load is correspondingly high at around 1,000kgs. It is slightly shorter than the Amarok though - 5m vs 5.2m.
Volkswagen says that the production version of the Tarok will go on sale in Brazil in the near future “with barely any changes” to the concept, and have also expressed some interest to launching it in other global markets after Brazil.
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: What does the Volkswagen Tarok cost in South Africa?
The Volkswagen Tarok Concept was never released for production, so there's no official South African pricing. However, if it had made it to our shores, expect it would have slotted in around R450,000 to R550,000, positioning it below the Amarok in VW's bakkie lineup.
Q: Is the Volkswagen Tarok worth buying?
You can't actually buy the Tarok since it remained a concept vehicle that was only intended for the Brazilian market. Volkswagen decided not to put this funky pickup into production, leaving us dreaming about what could have been.
Q: What engine does the Volkswagen Tarok have?
The Tarok Concept featured a 1.4-litre TSI engine producing 110kW, paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox and permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive. The production version was planned to use a 110kW 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine instead.
Q: How does the Volkswagen Tarok compare to the Amarok?
The Tarok was designed to sit below the Amarok in Volkswagen's pickup range, offering a more lifestyle-focused approach with SUV styling cues. It would have been smaller, lighter, and presumably more affordable than the heavy-duty Amarok.
Should You Buy It?
You simply cannot buy the Volkswagen Tarok because it never made it past the concept stage. This Brazilian-market pickup remained a tantalising "what if" in Volkswagen's global lineup. If you're after a lifestyle bakkie with urban SUV styling, your best bet is looking at alternatives like the Ford Ranger from R659,200 or waiting to see what VW does with future Amarok variants. The Tarok showed real promise with its funky design and practical MQB platform, but sadly it will remain nothing more than a very cool concept car that got away.
