What is it?
Not a full-size truck and not an SUV either, the Volkswagen Tarok Concept is VW dipping its toe in the small-truck waters to see if should dive in and swim. Clearly envious of the stampede of sales going to full-size trucks amid an equally coveted resurgence of midsize trucks, VW is presenting the Tarok at the NY Auto Show as way to gauge interest for the vehicle in North America, even though VW already intends to build the truck for South America.
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Why does it matter?
With a reconfigurable cargo bed capable of carrying six-foot objects, thanks to a folding waterproof panel behind the rear seat, the Tarok boasts a cargo-carrying capacity of 1,030 kg (2,270 pounds) — more than the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger or Jeep Gladiator — so perhaps take that with a grain of salt, given that a solid rear axle is unlikely and the engine is the same as that in a Golf, a 147-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter four cylinder. A digital instrument cluster, 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a removable Bluetooth speaker in the centre console also add character, as does the concept’s large glass roof.
When is it coming?
That’s entirely up to the public’s reaction. VW previously showed a small pickup in NY, the Atlas Tanoak, a pickup with considerable appeal and strong interest, yet the Tanoak hasn’t moved much down the production line as far as we know.
Should you buy it?
If a full-size truck is too big, and the midsize offerings from Chevrolet, Toyota and Jeep are just too truckish, the Tarok would no longer leave some buyers between a rock and a hard place.