VW has showcased the VW Tukan, a new half-ton bakkie which if launched locally, would take the market left by the Nissan NP200 and Corsa Utility. South Africa has the NAMPO show and Brazil has the Festa do Peão de Barretos, Brazil’s major rodeo festival and it was at this festival that VW unveiled its new half ton bakkie. VW Mzansi had noted at the 2025 VW Indaba that if Brazil were to produce a global version (i.e. right and left hand drive) of its half ton bakkie, Mzansi would look at how feasible it would be to bring it locally. Now the time has come for that feasibility study to be done.
The Tukan will be an interesting model with links to the VW Tengo, a small SUV that will slot below the T-Cross. The Tengo will be produced in Kariega (Eastern Cape) and this SUV shared a common platform (MQB platform) with the Tukan. Production of the Tukan is initially confirmed for São José dos Pinhais, Paraná but the most interesting aspect that VW Mzansi will be waiting for is the ability to have a right hand drive version of this Tukan model. This would make it more feasible to import the half ton bakkie to Mzansi and create a success story. Since the demise of the half ton bakkies, this segment has been dominated by "panel van" converted small SUV or small hatch models with VW recently showing a Polo Vivo based XPress.
The front design will be familiar to VW fans with a LED bar that runs the length of the headlights linking via an upper grille mounted LED light. LED lights have a design not far off the recent designs seen from VW models. A mesh design grill is interestingly placed lower mid bumper whilst LED fog lamps are placed either side of the grille.
The Tukan comes in single cab and double cab configuration with the top spec Extreme version getting off-road style cladding around the bodywork. A roll-over hoop neatly integrated into the roof rails adds style and practicality. Judging from the pictures, the ride height seems to suite gravel roads travel rather than off-road capabilities.
The rear gets a stylish design that should also major on functionality with a bakkie style tailgate. LED lighting should be standard on high spec models with the tonneau cover in black leather. 17 to 18 inch should also be featured on high spec models.
Interesting for Mzansi is the single cab commercial version which gets the same design front bumper as the double can version but finished in unpainted black. This model should get "basic" LED headlights and forgo fog lamps as seen from official images.
The load capacity should be roughly around 500kg and judging by the steel wheels on the image above, this is a true workhorse. Noe word on the engines but should Mzansi consider this model, it would likely mirror the engine line up of the VW Tengo meaning a 1.0 naturally aspirated engine in manual form for the entry model and TSI engine linked to a manual or DSG transmission driving only the front wheels. Stay tuned as we get more info on this model and also wait for something from VW Mzansi.