Baby Amarok! Volkswagen launches Tukan into the thriving mini-ute sector

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Volkswagen has again shown its renewed commitment to the ute with the unveiling of the Tukan in Brazil this week.

Built on the same MQB-A0 platform as the T-Cross small SUV and Skoda Fabia hatch, the Tukan joins the mini-ute segment that’s thriving in Latin America as a cheaper alternative to the midsize Amarok, which is still offered in previous-generation guise.

A rival to other small-car based offerings like the Ford Maverick and Renault’s upcoming Niagara, the Tukan is developed with South America front of mind and is expected to cost around 115,000 reais in Brazil, converting to about AU$32,000.

That’s a fair slice cheaper than the locally sold Amarok, which now starts from $73,740 before on-roads in Australia, after lower grades were all but discontinued for private buyers in the latest update. 

While not likely to make its way to Australia, the cheaper price tag and respectable capability of the Tukan could be enough to suit the needs of some buyers in the same way the Subaru Brumby gained fame in the 80s and 90s here in Australia.

No headline figures but ‘enough’ capability

In contrast to Australian-market utes where off-road capability, huge payload and towing capacities are seen as a minimum requirement, the Tukan features more humble headline figures that nonetheless suit the local market.

Unlike most utes, including VW’s own Amarok, the Tukan has unibody rather than body-on-frame construction, making it more car-like to drive. Volkswagen has nonetheless developed non-independent leaf spring suspension for the Tukan’s rear axle.

While no payload capacity for Tukan has been confirmed, it’s rumoured to tout as much as 700kg capacity.

Launching in both single-cab and dual-cab forms, the Tukan is powered by a one-litre turbocharged three-cylinder shared with the T-Cross. There is speculation that the biofuel-compatible four-cylinder from the Tukan’s predecessor, the Saveiro, will continue on, joined by a turbocharged four-cylinder range-topper.

Also speculated is that the Tukan will forgo Volkswagen’s signature DSG dual-clutch transmission in favour of a hardier torque converter automatic, as per Australian-market Golfs.

The Tukan is front-wheel drive at launch, though AWD may join the range at a later date.

It comes as Volkswagen recently renewed its commitment to building more utes, with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles chief executive Stefan Mecha recently confirming to Chasing Cars that a new generation Amarok had been locked in.