Volkswagen baby ute concept will spawn pint-sized production pick-up

Volkswagen will add a second ute to its line-up with a more compact companion to the Amarok set to join the German automaker’s ranks - and the work-pony is likely to be confirmed for markets outside its primary target Brazil.

A single teaser image of a car-based pickup concept is all we have to go on at this stage, but its maker is already sketching a vision of its future, confirming that a ‘series version’ will follow “with just a few minor tweaks”.

According to VW, “the model is due to launch on the Brazilian market in the foreseeable future” but “this new pickup’s potential is so great, however, that the vehicle concept could conceivably be suitable for other regions”. That said, VW is not yet offering a hint as to whether Australia is among those potential regions.

The German car maker will offer a first full look at the compact utility concept at the Sao Paulo International Motor Show on November 6, during which more information concerning the show car and production versions is expected to be released.

Some are speculating that the model is at the bantam end of the spectrum and will share the company’s ubiquitous MQB platform with the tiny T-Cross SUV and Polo compact hatch, invoking the spirits of other mini utes from history such as the Subaru Brumby, Daihatsu Mighty Boy and Proton Jumbuck.

However, Volkswagen makes reference to the larger Tiguan and an all-wheel drivetrain, which would appear to rule out the Polo/T-Cross’ MQB-A0 platform, which is front-drive only. A load-lugger sized somewhere between the Golf and Tiguan is instead more likely.

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Little has been divulged in the way of technical details or features, although the yet-to-be-named concept has a ‘multivariable’ load area, which has a folding panel at the rear of the dual cab for extending the tray.

The concept is also kitted out with the ‘features of a digitally networked SUV’ presumably relating to internet connectivity and possibly a form of V2X communication, and is firmly packaged as an ‘urban-oriented’ vehicle, with more of a focus on the concrete jungle rather than the actual jungle.