Volkswagen teases new SUV likely to be South Africa-bound model

Sporadically teased and sighted in pre-production form undergoing testing in India over the last few months, Skoda’s incoming new small SUV has officially emerged in a teaser image in Brazil, this time as a Volkswagen.

The importance

While set to go on-sale in India first where it will reportedly be called the Skoda Kylaq, the emergence of the model in Brazil comes with greater significance as it effectively shows how the Volkswagen derivative will look when it comes to South Africa in 2027.

ALSO READ: Skoda sketches new tease of small SUV heading to South Africa

As is known by now, the newcomer forms part of a joint venture between Skoda India, Volkswagen do Brasil and Volkswagen South Africa for a combustion engine small SUV aimed at developing markets.

Long wait for South Africa?

While on-track to enter production in October this year in India before the commencing of sales in early 2025, according to Autocar India, the Brazilian market will now also receive its version next year and not in 2026 as originally reported.

For the time being, the shortened timeframe doesn’t apply to South Africa where sales still look set to only commence in 2027.

Still to be named, the so-called “mystery third model”, announced back in 2022 as an “SUV-type” vehicle by Volkswagen South Africa boss Martina Biene, will be made alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo at the Kariega Plant, formerly Uitenhage, in the Eastern Cape, based on the same MQB A0 platform that be renamed MQB A0 Entry.

The catalyst of a R4-billion investment into the plant in April, the Autocar India reports alleges that Kylaq will initially derive motivation from the current 1.0 TSI engine producing 85kW/178Nm.

In India, the unit comes standard in the Kushaq, Skoda’s version of the Volkswagen Taigun based on the T-Cross, and is mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed DSG with drive going to the front wheels only.

Seemingly, the choice of powertrain will also apply to South Africa, however, nothing has yet been set in stone.

Question of Tarok

According to motor1.com Brazil, the newcomer will be positioned below the Nivus, known locally as the Taigo, as Volkswagen do Brasil’s new entry-level SUV and have its first public showing at the Rock in Rio music festival next month as a likely production-ready concept.

Appearing similar to the new Tiguan on first glance, the SUV’s platform will also spawn a second model in the shape of the now confirmed Tarok half-ton bakkie.

Set to replace the dated Saveiro, the Tarok will only become a reality in 2026, but could well be manufactured in Kariega as well if still designated as a world model the concept was billed as upon its unveiling in Brazil six years ago.

Described as a feasible project by Biene back in 2022 during an interview with Engineering News, no official approval has yet been made, more than likely as a result of the SUV being the focus of attention.

More soon

Its name set to consist of five letters, according to motor1.com Brazil, no further information about the newcomer is known, however, expect more to be revealed within the coming weeks.

NOW READ: Volkswagen’s locally considered small SUV teased by new Skoda