When General Motors first debuted the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, the automaker predicted the mid-size pickup segment was set to heat up in coming years and believed it was getting in on the ground floor. It looks like it was right, with the Ford Ranger coming back onto the scene this year and other automakers like Volkswagen and even Hyundai showing interest in the segment.
The Volkswagen Tarok Concept is the latest indication the German automaker is interested in competing with the Colorado and Canyon. The automaker debuted the Atlas Tanoak Concept last year, a unibody pickup based on its large Atlas crossover, and has now presented an evolved vision for a Volkswagen-branded pickup at the 2019 New York International Auto Show.
The Tarok is actually a compact pickup, measuring in at 193.5 inches long. By comparison, the Colorado and Canyon measure in at 212.4 inches for the Extended Cab with the 6-foot 2-inch box and Crew Cab with the 5-foot 3-inch box, and 224.6 inches for the Crew Cab with the 6-foot 2-inch box.
The German automaker has worked on a sliding mechanism for the Tarok’s bed as well, which allows it to slide into the cab and carry longer loads than its compact size might suggest. The pickup boasts a payload of 2,271 pounds, which compares to a claimed max payload of just over 1,500Â pounds for the Colorado and Canyon.
Driving the concept’s wheels is Volkswagen’s turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which is good for 147 horsepower. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive. Selectable drive modes are also on the table, which adjust the truck’s throttle response, gearshift behavior and steering feel. The modes include Comfort, Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual.
The Volkswagen Tarok was actually first shown at the 2018 Sao Paolo International Motor Show and is slated to enter production for the South American market shortly. It has no plans to produce the vehicle for the U.S. at this time, but says it is “being shown to gauge market reaction for a truly versatile and compact entry-level pickup.”
Between the new Ranger, a potential small Volkswagen pickup and a potential Hyundai pickup, the small pickup scene is set to get a little more crowded in the coming years. GM stands to lose a slice of the market share, so it will have to remain focused on the competition when developing the next-generation Colorado and Canyon.
Source: Ford Authority
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Comments
From what I have read else where this would not be coming here. Ford and VW will team up and the VW will not be in the North American market.
Besides this is more a Honda competitor.
This is a truck for people who hate trucks.
It’s a truck for people that like high repair costs for a mediocre experience.
Maybe it’s for people who realize you don’t need an agricultural body on frame truck to haul bicycles around, or the ones who prefer not to get seasick and whiplash on their daily commute, or those who don’t like to scrape door handles in corners.
Great idea… bringing along alternative transportation. Will likely need it.
Personally I’m one of those guys that find trucks to be rubbish and stupid in the city. Any driver driving one of them is out of place and known as a dude or a city slicker. Anyways, this truck is a little more appealing to me and knowing VW, their will be some practicality to it. I still won’t be buying one especially to drive around town, that’s what cars and and rigged up station wagons also known as SUVs are for.
This is a “pretty boy” truck. People (aka Men) that buy a Colorado or Ranger are not going to consider buying a VW…get real.
Plus most VW’s are maintenance money pits.
How’s it going to crash the party when it’s only a unibody concept car-truck?
Only the party for those driving 1.4L four-cylinder trucks. I am guessing that it comes with a man purse to hide your ego in when you are driving it.
I would get one if they made it the GTi version of a “mini truck”. As all the insecure guys have already pointed put, “It’s not a REAL truck,” so play to VW strengths. Make it somewhat fast and fun to drive on the street, with an optional manual and awd or rwd.
There is a large segment of Americans that never go off road (95% of trucks), like the ability to throw some stuff in the back, but don’t want to drive a boring, underpowered, fwd car-truck every day.