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# Volkswagen unveils the ute Australians need, but will never get
- URL: https://torquecafe.com/volkswagen-unveils-the-ute-australians-need-but-will-never-get/
- Published: 2026-08-25T07:00:15.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-25T07:00:14.000Z
- Description: In a ute-dominated market, the likes of the Volkswagen Tukan could succeed, though we’ll never get the chance to find out.
- Author: Jordan Mulach
- Tags: News, 4x4 & Adventure

Volkswagen’s South American division has revealed the Tukan as its latest ute, joining the Amarok on sale in the region.

Where the Amarok is like many of Australia’s best-selling utes in being underpinned by a body-on-frame chassis – shared with the Ford Ranger – the Tukan shares most of its platform with the Volkswagen T-Cross, utilising the MQB architecture.

Available in single- and dual-cab layouts, its front-end setup is understood to largely be identical to the T-Cross, while at the rear it has adopted leaf springs in a far more conventional setup for a ute.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/08/volkswagen-tukan-2.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/08/volkswagen-tukan-3.jpg)

Replacing the ageing Saveiro which debuted in 2009 and has received minor updates since, the Tukan’s far newer bones translate to a raft of relatively new technologies, such as LED lights at the front and rear.

Volkswagen hasn’t yet detailed what powers the Tukan, though it’s likely the powertrains from the local market T-Cross will carry across, consisting of a 1.0-litre three-cylinder (96kW/200Nm) and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder (112kW/250Nm).

It’s expected as well that the Tukan, like the T-Cross, will remain front-wheel drive, while it could also offer the choice of a six-speed manual transmission alongside a six-speed automatic.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/08/volkswagen-tukan-7.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a9/b3/a9b3e204-3117-4792-9a32-46184029df44/content/images/2026/08/volkswagen-tukan-10.jpg)

Due to go on sale in Latin America early next year, the Tukan will be built in Brazil, though it’s expected to only be made in left-hand drive, effectively ruling it out of an Australian berth.

It’s one of many car-based utes on sale in the region, with Toyota also understood to be soon entering the market with a pickup based on the Corolla Cross.