If anything could convince local automakers a half-ton bakkie would be viable, it is the fact Volkswagen has jumped back into the small van sandpit with an updated version of the Polo Vivo. The company had a load-lugger based on the Polo Vivo but stopped production in 2016 when the car was significantly updated.Now, with inreasing consumer demand for load capacity it is back - entering the mix priced at R279 990.
At the same time the company has announced a triple-pronged model launch strategy aimed at key segments of the South African market.
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Vivo Xpress
The reintroduction of the Vivo Xpress directly targets the expanding entry-level delivery vehicle segment, a space that has seen sustained growth over recent years, partly driven by e-commerce. The model will slot into the A0 City Van category and holds the distinction of being the only contender built locally, at Volkswagen’s Kariega plant.
Originally offered in 2016, the model line was not continued after the launch of the second-generation Vivo in 2018. Its return is a calculated response to rising demand from fleet operators and delivery services for practical, light-duty vehicles.
The Vivo Xpress is positioned as a secure and efficient tool for businesses. It offers fully enclosed storage, eliminating the need for an aftermarket canopy. Security options include factory-fitted smash-and-grab film or window guards. Access is provided through side and rear doors for easy loading.
Power comes from a 1,4-litre petrol engine producing 63 kW. The van has a stated payload capacity of 490 kg. It will be sold with a standard 3-year/120 000 km warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty, with service intervals set at 15 000 km. Optional service and maintenance plans will be available.
Caravelle
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In a significant move, Volkswagen will usher its legendary people-carrier into the age of electrification. The new T7-generation Caravelle will be launched as a plug-in hybrid 4MOTION model, blending the nameplate’s decades of heritage with modern, efficient technology.
The vehicle’s history in South Africa stretches back over seventy years to the first bus built at the Kariega plant. The new Caravelle eHybrid 4MOTION aims to reinterpret that legacy with a focus on comfort, connectivity, and cleaner mobility.
The plug-in hybrid system features two electric motors, one on each axle, providing electric all-wheel drive. A 1,5 TSI turbo-charged petrol engine works in tandem with these motors. The system draws energy from a 19,7 kWh lithium-ion battery, which supports an electric driving range of up to 91 kilometres on a full charge.
A notable feature is the standard electric stationary air-conditioning, which allows the cabin to be cooled or heated using battery power while the vehicle is parked or charging, without idling the engine.
The hybrid strategy prioritises electric drive, with the vehicle moving off under pure electric power when the battery is charged. The system can operate in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive modes depending on speed, driving profile and traction requirements. Volkswagen says with a depleted battery, the Caravelle’s WLTP fuel consumption is between 7,5 l/100 km and 8,1 l/100 km.
The vehicle supports AC charging at up to 11 kW and DC fast charging at up to 50 kW, allowing the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in approximately 26 minutes at a fast charger.
T-Roc
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Rounding out the announcements is the forthcoming second-generation T-Roc SUV, scheduled for local introduction in late 2026. Positioned between the Taigo and the Tiguan, the T-Roc has been a consistent sales performer for the brand globally.
The new model will be based on Volkswagen’s updated MQB evo platform, bringing what the company describes as “top-down” technology from larger models into the compact SUV segment. It will see an increase in size, now measuring 4 373 mm in length (up 122 mm) with a wheelbase of 2 631 mm. This translates to a luggage capacity of 475 litres, an increase of 30 litres.
The design evolves the previous model’s signature styling, including a distinct silver side stripe. New full-width LED lighting elements at the front and rear are highlighted. Inside, the cabin receives upgraded materials and technology, with an optional head-up display and large digital cockpit.
Volkswagen also emphasises a sustainability push for the T-Roc, stating that around 20% of the plastic components in the new model are made from recycled materials.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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