Get A Better Look At The New VW Taos In South American Specification

Volkswagen continues teasing the upcoming Taos compact SUV, this time in South America.

The automaker’s Brazilian and Argentinean subsidiaries have released three photos of the new Taos featuring a full-body camouflage in shades of Blue Jewel and Dark Shadow. The camouflage design was created by Jose Pavone, VW’s Head of Design for South America, to be used during the teasing campaign of the Taos, two weeks before its world premiere.

Looking at the photos, it’s hard to notice any significant styling differences compared to the North American-spec Taos we’ve seen earlier this week wearing a different type of camouflage.

Actually, the South American model gives us a much better look at the headlights and the LED light bar that unites them in similar fashion to the 2021 VW Phideon sold in China. The design of the front bumper is also more obvious; it features a generous lower grille and two aggressive-looking openings on the sides.

Seen from the side, the connection to the Skoda Karoq and SEAT Ateca sold in Europe and China’s VW Tharu is pretty hard to conceal, and the viewer gets the same impression when looking at the VW Taos’ rear end. The LED taillights remind of the Ateca and Tharu, while the bumper puts on a sportier look with a diffuser-like element and generous tailpipe trims – fake or not, we can’t tell yet.

We don’t get a peek inside yet but VW says the Taos will feature the new VW Play infotainment system in South America, first introduced on the new Nivus subcompact crossover coupe.

Based on the ubiquitous MQB modular architecture, the Taos will be built in Argentina for the entire South American region, following an investment of almost $1 billion at the Pacheco facility. Mind you, the North American-spec VW Taos will be made in Mexico at the company’s plant in Puebla.

In the United States, the VW Taos will feature a 1.5-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 158 HP (160 PS) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque. As standard, it will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. VW will also offer an AWD variant with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission.

As for the South American model, it is reported to get a 150 PS (148 HP) 1.4 TSI engine with a six-speed automatic transmission and FWD as standard. A 2.0-liter TSI with AWD is also said to arrive later on. The VW Taos will have its world debut on October 13 during an online-only event that will be broadcast live on the internet. The market launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2021 in South America and summer 2021 in North America.

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