- Skoda Auto Volkswagen India presented their latest student car project in Pune.
- The VW Taigun served as a base for a rugged pickup truck with weird proportions.
- The unique conversion took 9 months and uses parts from the related VW Virtus sedan.
The VW Taigun, a subcompact SUV developed and built in India, has undergone a radical transformation into a pickup truck, as part of a student car project. The quirky one-off merges the Taigun’s five-seater cabin with an unusually extended rear overhang to make room for the exposed cargo bed. It’s not the kind of mashup you see every day, and the result is as odd as it is questionable.
Unlike most SUV-to-truck conversions that involve hacking away at the bodywork, this one keeps the original greenhouse and exterior panels intact. The rear hatch has been unceremoniously ditched, replaced by a custom bed that feels like an afterthought. The tail’s exaggerated length gives the pickup some truly strange proportions—making you question what happens to the balance when you toss a load in the back.
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In a parts-bin raid, the taillights and rear bumper were borrowed from the VW Virtus sedan, which rides on the same MQB A0 IN platform as the Taigun. And while most of the project looks DIY, 3D-printed components and a snazzy livery help mask any rough edges from the build process.
To up the ante, the team slapped on some off-road bits, giving the little pickup a more rugged vibe. We’re talking underbody protection, beefy beadlock wheels with chunky tires, and oversized fender extensions. Throw in roof-mounted LEDs, an antenna, a snorkel, and extra mounting points, and you’ve got a ride that looks ready to tackle some serious terrain—even if it’s only pretending.
There is no information about any performance modifications, but the Taigun is only available in FWD forms. The most powerful version of the SUV uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS), which sounds good enough for a small pickup.
The one-off truck was created by a group of Mechatronics students, mentored by skilled professionals from Skoda Auto Volkswagen India. Based in Pune, the company oversees VW Group brands in India, with a wealth of R&D know-how.
The conversion took nine months and included market analysis, research and development, procurement, packaging, and final car testing. The goal was for the students to gain valuable skills and experience as part of a government-backed program called the “Skill India Initiative.”
This isn’t the first time the program has produced something offbeat. Last year, the same team whipped up a Skoda Rapid four-door convertible. Apparently, they have a taste for the unconventional.
