Is This a Prototype for VW's Competitor to the Ford Maverick? | Carscoops

      This camouflaged Tiguan may be concealing the foundations for a more rugged compact pickup truck.

      21 hours ago

      by Michael Gauthier

      Sources have spotted a potential test vehicle that might serve as a competitor to the Ford Maverick.

      If correct, this model could be positioned below the Amarok in South American markets.

      A launch could occur as soon as next year, though details are still unclear at this time.

      Volkswagen has teased the prospect of a new pickup for several years. The Atlas Tanoak concept made waves at the 2018 New York Auto Show, showcasing a possible rival to the Honda Ridgeline.

      This was succeeded by the smaller Tarok concept at the São Paulo Motor Show, where Volkswagen promised a production version would debut in Brazil with “minimal changes.” However, this never materialized, as the company currently only sells the Saveiro and Amarok in the region.

      More: Schrödinger’s Pickup? VW Truck Plans May Be Either Active or Inactive

      This situation may soon change, as spy photographers have captured a mysterious crossover testing in northern Sweden. While it seems to merely be a disguised variant of the old Tiguan, observers believe it could serve as a prototype for a new truck positioned below the Amarok.

      The model might be named the Udara, with rumors suggesting it is being developed for the South American market. Additionally, there is speculation that the truck could be introduced in Brazil as early as mid-2026.

      SHProshots

      Given this context, it's not surprising that the Udara is said to be built on the MQB A0 platform, which supports models like the Virtus, Nivus, and Tera. The latter crossover recently began production in Brazil and is expected to be exported to over 25 countries across Latin America and Africa starting later this year.

      Very little else is known about the vehicle, but it is possible that the truck may utilize engines from its platform counterparts. This indicates that it could feature 1.0- and 1.4-liter TSI engines producing up to 150 hp (112 kW / 152 PS).

      At this stage, there are clearly more questions than answers, but if everything goes as planned, the Udara could compete with the Ford Maverick and Fiat Toro in the region.

      VW Tarok Concept