Tengo named as Volkswagen's new South African SUV
After a comparatively short voting session, Volkswagen has announced Tengo as the moniker it will use for the locally assembled version of the Tera from 2027.
People have spoken
The Citizen reports that, although it didn't state how many votes were received, the moniker – which denotes a 'rich cultural significance in African language and describes qualities like strength, resilience and purpose' – beat out Tavi, Tiva and Tion to become the public's choice for the newcomer.
ALSO READ: Voting opens: Names for South Africa's Volkswagen Tera revealed
Until now known as the 'MQB A0 Entry SUV', the Tengo will be built alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo at the Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape from 2027 as the so-called third model announced in 2023 for developing markets.
Massive importance
A joint venture with Skoda India and Volkswagen do Brasil, with South Africa appointed as project development lead, the Tengo will likely differ notably from the Tera inside and out, although this remains speculative for now.
The result of a R4b investment into the facility located in the town previously known as Uitenhage, the Tengo – as its internal name indicates – will ride on the MQB A0 platform shared with the Polo and Polo Vivo, and is reportedly set to be powered exclusively by the 1.0 TSI engine.
Set to become Volkswagen's smallest SUV once production of the T-Cross wraps up in Europe next year, the Tengo will make its first public showing at the brand's annual product Indaba in 2026, either as an early pre-production right-hand-drive example or as the Tera to provide a feel of what lies ahead.
As such, expectations point to production starting in 2026, ahead of the commencement of sales in 2027.
This follows confirmation by the brand in May that it had completed the first round of upgrades to the Kariega factory, which included a production pause from mid-March to April for the installation of 100 robots, new conveyor belts in the final assembly area, and paint shop improvements.
More soon
With its name now officially revealed, more details about the Tengo are expected to emerge in the coming months, potentially covering engine output and trim.
ALSO READ: What South Africa can expect: Volkswagen Tera detailed in Brazil
The article Voting over: South Africa's Volkswagen Tera will be called Tengo first appeared on The Citizen.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
7 hours ago
- The Herald
Everything you need to know about the new VW Golf GTI Edition 50
Volkswagen has unveiled its new Golf GTI Edition 50. Built to celebrate the German hot hatch's golden anniversary, it is the fastest and most powerful production GTI model to date, thanks to a specially tuned 2.0 l four-cylinder turbocharged engine making 239kW and 420Nm of torque. It comes paired to a seven-speed DSG transmission. The Edition 50 rides 15mm lower than the standard GTI and is available with an optional Performance package that drops the chassis an extra 5mm lower to the asphalt for even better cornering characteristics. Ticking this box also gives you higher spring rates, adapted spring mounts, an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system and 19" ' Warmenau' forged wheels shod with newly developed Bridgestone 235 Potenza Race semi-slick tyres. The latter, according to VW, are 1.1kg lighter than a standard tyre.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- TimesLIVE
Everything you need to know about the new VW Golf GTI Edition 50
Volkswagen has unveiled its new Golf GTI Edition 50. Built to celebrate the German hot hatch's golden anniversary, it is the fastest and most powerful production GTI model to date, thanks to a specially tuned 2.0 l four-cylinder turbocharged engine making 239kW and 420Nm of torque. It comes paired to a seven-speed DSG transmission. The Edition 50 rides 15mm lower than the standard GTI and is available with an optional Performance package that drops the chassis an extra 5mm lower to the asphalt for even better cornering characteristics. Ticking this box also gives you higher spring rates, adapted spring mounts, an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system and 19" 'Warmenau' forged wheels shod with newly developed Bridgestone 235 Potenza Race semi-slick tyres. The latter, according to VW, are 1.1kg lighter than a standard tyre. On the outside, the Edition 50 differentiates itself from its lesser GTI sibling with a black roof, black exterior mirror housings and black exhaust tailpipe finishers. Other exclusive garnish includes a GTI 50 logo on the roof spoiler and insides of the exterior mirrors, special trim on the door sills and a side stripe on the side members with a colour gradient from black to Tornado red. Five striking exterior colours are on offer: Pure White, Moonstone Grey, Grenadilla Black Metallic, Dark Moss Green Metallic and Tornado Red. The cabin features a racier ambience with sport seats upholstered in a check pattern that pays homage to the original GTI that broke cover in 1976. Other tasty mods come in the form of red seat belts and a multifunction leather sports steering wheel with a GTI 50 logo. Though VW hasn't dropped any official performance figures, it has confirmed that the Edition 50 set a lap time of 7:46.13 seconds around the Nürburgring Nordschleife with racing driver Benny Leuchter behind the wheel. That's quicker than Leuchter's previous record in the 245kW Golf R '20 Years' edition in 2022 by just over a second, and more than three seconds faster than his 2016 lap in the GTI Clubsport S (228kW). Impressive stuff. Production of the Golf GTI Edition 50 will begin at the end of 2025 with first deliveries expected to commence at the start of its anniversary year from the first quarter of 2026.
The Herald
a day ago
- The Herald
Updated Haval H6 pushes value agenda in crowded segment
And then we had a short turn with the flagship of the H6 range, the electrified GT model, on a private circuit. Boasting rakish coupé-like lines, the model is armed with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It also uses the 1.5 l but with a 35.4kWh battery and electric motor enabling a combined output of 321kW/762Nm. Haval claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.9 seconds. The all-wheel drive GT plug-in hybrid is remarkably quiet and drama-free as it dashes off the line, without a hint of wheelspin. According to the brand, it can be driven on electric power for up to 180km, able to cruise at 120km/h in zero-emissions mode. The new H6 is served in Luxury, Super Luxury, Ultra Luxury and GT trims, with pricing kicking off at R495,500; topping out at R799,900 for the plug-in hybrid GT. A seven-year/200,000km warranty and seven-year/75,000km service plan is included. The hybrids get a separate eight-year/150,000km warranty for the associated high-voltage components. The H6 plays in a tough segment, with familiar favourites such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-5. But there are also Chinese rivals such as the JMC-sourced Ford Territory and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro. As before, pricing for the H6 remains competitive. This, coupled with the fresh design and healthy list of amenities, should keep the model towards the top of shopping consumers' lists.
