- Volkswagen plans to introduce the new Tukan later this year.
- The compact pickup is focused mainly on South America.
- Four-cylinder engines, including a mild-hybrid 1.5 TSI, are likely.
Volkswagen is preparing to add another pickup to its South American lineup, and this one comes with feathers. Sort of. It is called the Tukan, and it was teased earlier this month ahead of a production start next year. If the early hints are anything to go by, it could turn out to be a tidy-looking compact truck. There is even a chance it might make sense beyond South America.
Read: VW Names Its Next Pickup After A Bird
Named after the Toucan, one of the region’s most recognizable birds, the VW Tukan has so far been shown only in fragments. We have seen a short bed finished in Canary Yellow, a color that leans heavily into the avian theme. There are no clear shots of the front or rear yet, so the full picture remains under wraps for now.
What Could The Tukan Look Like?
That has not stopped Nikita Chuyko at Kolesa from imagining the new Tukan from both angles. If it ends up looking anything like these images, it could prove popular with local buyers as it blends traditional pickup ruggedness with softer crossover and SUV influences.
The overall proportions should mirror those of the 2018 Tarok concept, though the production version will likely adopt a front-end design that aligns more closely with VW’s latest crossovers, such as the Tiguan and T-Roc.
Up front, the Tukan features pointed headlights connected by a fixed LED light bar. A silver-colored skid plate sits below a large black grille. VW’s teaser also confirms black plastic wheel arches, and the same cladding should extend along the rocker panels.
Along the sides, the Tukan is imagined with black door handles and pillars, paired with a contrasting black roof. The roof rails appear to extend rearward from the cab toward the bed, giving the profile a more cohesive look. At the back, prominent Tukan lettering is stamped across the tailgate, above a black and silver lower bumper.
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Unlike the Tarok concept, which used a full-width rear light bar, the production Tukan is expected to feature more traditional square LED units.
Interestingly, it is also rumored that alongside the four-door version, VW could offer a single-cab, two-door variant with a longer bed.
Familiar Underpinnings
Underneath, the Tukan will likely ride on the MQB A0 platform shared with the T-Cross. In Brazil, that would place it squarely against compact unibody rivals such as the Fiat Toro, Renault Oroch, Chevrolet Montana, Ram Rampage, and even the Ford Maverick.
Volkswagen has yet to confirm technical details, but the platform points to a range of small four-cylinder engines. Reports indicate that VW’s new 1.5 eTSI Evo2 flex-fuel engine could make its debut in the Tukan. This unit, paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system, produces 150 hp and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of peak torque.
A more rudimentary 1.6-liter four-cylinder option is also rumored to be under consideration for entry-level trims. The official reveal is expected later this year, with production slated to begin in 2027.
