Less Than Robust: Volkswagen releases new Saveiro ute in South America
2010 Volkswagen Saveiro – Click above for image gallery
While we patiently await the release of Volkswagen's Robust pickup truck on this side of the equator, our upside-down neighbors to the south have received a VW pickup of their own. Called the Saveiro, the truck seen above is made in Brazil exclusively for the South American market to compete with the likes of the Fiat Strada and Chevrolet Montana (not to be confused with the Pontiac-badged minivan).
For 2010, the Volkswagen Saveiro has been refreshed to look more like the rest of the VW range. Power comes from a flex-fuel 1.6-liter engine, producing 101 horsepower on gasoline or 104 on ethanol, which is a popular fuel in South America. For our part, we don't mind waiting a little longer for the Robust (not that we're likely to get it in the States), but you can check out the Saveiro in the gallery below.
Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Saveiro
[Source: Carro Online via Autoblog.it]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Raz 10:37AM (8/25/2009)
A 1.6L engine... its not going anywhere when fully loaded.
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BigMcLargeHuge 10:45AM (8/25/2009)
It's competition uses a 1.4L and 1.8L.
Raz 10:51AM (8/25/2009)
Oh right. I don't get the point of having such a small engine for a ute though. Most utes will be towing and carry loads of stuff, with a 1.6L or 1.4L engine I don't think it'll go very far or up any slope unless its gears for torque, even that I think it is a bit under powered for its application, Of course doesn't need to be as massive as the 6L V8s in the Holdens
martinez 11:08AM (8/25/2009)
104 hp can easily haul a garden tractor or a generator + various construction tools. that's what it's made for. a gardener does not need a ton worth of payload together with a matching fuel consumption.
Jared 12:04PM (8/25/2009)
Thats because we use the American mind set. We need to be able to pass on the highway with a fully loaded bed. Where this truck is being sold, that is not needed. They need to get the most range and payload for their gallon of gasoline while being able to travel over the occasional rough dirt road.
VW JUNKY 1:04PM (8/25/2009)
If properly geared right you can pull all kinds of things with low hp.
Check out the older Mercedes Unimogs.
My 1961 VW Single cab bus. 40hp 3/4 ton hauling. I put 1 ton of items in it and it pulled fine. Now braking was another problem;)
Ronman 2:52AM (8/26/2009)
First, a lot of Brazilians make do with a 1.0L, and they have a lot of uphills, so imagine the bliss of 1.6L power. while on vacation there i rented two different cars both 1.6, both geared for torque, and i made a commitment to drive them on Ethanol not fuel, plus it's cheaper.... I did however drive an old VW Gol with a 1.0Liter engine and was surprised how powerful it was with respect. I was carrying 4 adults, on a nasty uphill, and it didn't feel much underpowered.
i might move to brazil sometime and this pickup looks very cool, but my favorite part of the auto culture that is the presence of a lot of surfer type converted cars, not bad, it goes well with their small displacement philosophy, who needs a v8? but to be honest, i was praying for at least V6 power when stuck behind long trucks. so Turbos might be useful...
Polarstar 10:40AM (8/25/2009)
This is kind of off topic but what kind of pick-ups were in District 9?
And okay its a lot off topic.
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Raz 10:41AM (8/25/2009)
Haven't seen it yet
MemphisNET 10:49AM (8/25/2009)
They kinda looked like Toyota Helix', but I'm not sure either.
eaglerider15 12:57PM (8/25/2009)
It's the Toyota Hilux. Toyota's Tacoma everywhere else in the world.
I drove one when I lived in Dubai.
eaglerider15 1:03PM (8/25/2009)
You can check it out here (6th generation):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Hilux
Also, before they started using the the name Tacoma in the States, you can find some Toyota trucks with "Hilux" written just under the B pillar.
summazooma 10:44AM (8/25/2009)
Stranger still, the dark wheeled trim level is apparently called the "Trooper" (even similar logotype to the old Isuzu)
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Artega 10:46AM (8/25/2009)
This really looks like a blown-up vw fox with a table on its back.
odd.
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Sofa King Fast! 1:10PM (8/25/2009)
I agree.
It looks much more lame than I was expecting from some of those spy shots.
I can't see how this would sell in the North American market. It kind of reminds me of that Pontiact G8 Sport Truck.
AWorkofScott 10:53AM (8/25/2009)
I like the design. The clamshell hood and inset sidestep are nice touches.
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gotsmart 10:56AM (8/25/2009)
That's not a bad-looking little trucklet.
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Judy Zik 11:08AM (8/25/2009)
Will it allow you to pass on the highway a load of rocks? The answer is no. It will carry Chickens, Hay, a few extra family members, furniture, etc at rural road speeds. North Americans would be amazed by what people in other countries manage to carry in small vehicles with less HP.
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Gustavo Miranda 12:17PM (8/25/2009)
And we are amazing what idea you have about us...
Judy Zik 12:30PM (8/25/2009)
No offence meant. Just a sampling of what I have seen in my travels.