Volkswagen has unveiled the Tarok pick-up truck
concept at the Sao Paulo International Motor Show, which previews a new model
set to be offered in Brazil. If you like what you see here, you’ll be pleased
to know that Volkswagen has said it would make “barely any changes” to the
Tarok’s design from concept to series production.
Measuring about five metres long, the Tarok features
familiar pick-up cues like a double-cab body and a rear bed for storage. The
twist here is the rear seats of the vehicle can be folded down, allowing
extra-long items to be placed in the back. Other exterior styling elements
include a front end inspired by the Atlas Tanoak, sunroof, LED lighting, roof
bar and sculpted sides.
Meanwhile, a peek inside the cabin reveals a modern
dashboard with a digital instrument cluster display, glass-covered touchscreen
infotainment system, digital air-conditioning controls (covered here), and
Cypress Metallic dashboard trim. If you haven’t guessed already, the Tarok is
more of a lifestyle-oriented pick-up rather than being an out-and-out
workhorse, although it’ll to the occasional heavy lifting with its one tonne
maximum payload.
Powering the Tarok concept is a 1.4 litre
four-cylinder TSI engine that makes 150 PS, with drive going to all four
corners via a six-speed automatic gearbox and permanent 4Motion all-wheel drive
system. The mill is designed with a TotalFlex Fuel Unit specifically for the
Brazilian market, allowing it to run on pure ethanol (E100) or the E22 blend.
When it enters production, a 2.0 litre TDI engine will be added, delivering 150
PS as well.
Volkswagen has yet to confirm when the Tarok will go
on sale in Brazil, or even if other markets will get the pick-up. However, it
did say that it “will soon be offering a series version of the Tarok Concept on
the market in Brazil” and “the avantgarde pick-up also has the potential to
boost Volkswagen’s model range in other global markets.”
