Volkswagen's Adorable New Tukan Pickup Is The First MQB-Based Truck

Volkswagen may not have a pickup in the United States, but south of the border the Saveiro has been a best-seller for years — just last year, Volkswagen sold more Saveiros in Brazil than Ford sold Rangers in the States. Now, after being on sale since 2009, the Saveiro is leaving VW's lineup to make room for this perfect, beautiful, MQB-based boy: The new Volkswagen Tukan. Please, Volkswagen, sell this in the United States so I can have one. 

Volkswagen unveiled the Tukan in Brazil, and the new truck looks like a hoot. It's based on the T-Cross, a compact crossover that we don't get in the States, following the discontinuation of the Gol hatchback that the Saveiro was built from. Volkswagen hasn't released specs on the new Tukan yet — at least not anywhere that I can find without knowing Portuguese — but it sure seems taller and beefier than the more ute-like Saveiro. Less Australian-market Ford Falcon, more Maverick.

I've already established myself as an unfortunate pickup truck fan who enjoys being the Truck Friend hauling people and goods around, so I was sold on the four-door Extreme-trim Tukan at first sight (the base two-door Robust version, admittedly, tempts me less). What really intrigues me, though, is the MQB platform that underpins it — a first for a Volkswagen pickup. The MQB architecture underpins everything from the Golf and Audi A3 to the VW Atlas and Seat Formentor. We've already seen plenty of wild swaps and tunes on this platform, with the speedy bits from GTIs and Golves R ending up in different bodies, so it's likely only a matter of time until someone gives us the Tukan R we deserve. When that happens, I'll truly mourn the lack of the Tukan in the U.S. market. 

Yes, unfortunately, the Tukan has only been announced for Brazil, but with the popularity of the Saveiro worldwide, expect the new pickup to end up in numerous other markets. So far, Volkswagen has announced the truck as being "100% designed, developed and produced in Brazil," and that'll likely make buyers happy when the truck hits their dealers early next year, even if it expands out with further production later on. Still, I want one up here in the States, and it's a shame Volkswagen likely won't make it happen. Maybe I can write them a very nice letter asking for one.