Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) announced earlier this year that it was investing R4 billion to build a brand new compact SUV in South Africa from 2027.
The vehicle has yet to be revealed, but VWSA has previously confirmed that the company’s Brazilian division was leading its development and that the newcomer would be priced below the T-Cross.
Now Volkswagen of Brazil has released a teaser of a new small SUV product that will be launched there in 2025, and with local media reporting that it will slot in beneath the T-Cross, it is highly likely that what you see here is South Africa’s new locally-built ‘third product’ as VWSA representatives have labelled it.
Only one darkened image has been released as yet, and after lightening it in a photo editor we get a clear view of the front end, which takes much of its inspiration from the new Tiguan, with its large lower air dam and slim upper grille. A curvy front fender further distinguishes it from its hatchback siblings.
Don’t be too surprised if this new SUV overtakes the Polo Vivo as VWSA’s top-selling vehicle following its introduction in 2027, since the hints we’ve heard so far indicate that it will be very competitively priced. The Vivo is currently Mzansi’s top selling passenger car.
When asked at the recent facelifted Polo Vivo launch whether the current Polo would eventually morph into a Vivo, VWSA CEO Martina Biene said that was not on the cards at present as such a car would clash with the new compact SUV. She then hinted that the new Polo Vivo could take a different form altogether..
VWSA has already confirmed that the new compact SUV will share its platform with the current Volkswagen Polo hatchback, although it will have unique exterior styling.
Volkswagen of Brazil describes the new SUV as “a completely innovative, modern, connected product that will inaugurate an unprecedented segment for the brand”.
We don’t even know its name yet, but the South American division has hinted that it will have five letters, starting with “T” of course.
As for engines, many have speculated the obvious, that VW’s 1.0-litre TSI will form the mainstay of the new compact SUV range, but don’t be surprised if the Polo Vivo’s locally-produced normally aspirated MPI petrol motors feature prominently in order to protect local jobs at the engine plant. Unless, of course, the TSI gets green lighted for local production.
VWSA’s investment in this new SUV product for production in Kariega is an attempt to lessen its dependence on Polo exports, which currency account for around 70% of the plant’s output. The Polo is looking set to be discontinued at the end of this decade, as Europe moves towards electrification, but with those goalposts constantly shifting, much can still change in the interim.
When asked by local media whether a small bakkie could be produced locally, VWSA CEO Biene has hinted that it was a possibility, although for now the new SUV remains the focus.