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.
