SA Volkswagen new SUV named ‘Tengo’
Production expected to begin in the Eastern Cape in 2027
Volkswagen has officially named its forthcoming compact SUV that will be built in South Africa, the VW Tengo. This new model is part of the German automaker’s strategy to reclaim its share of the entry-level market with a more affordable crossover that will slot in below the current T-Cross.
While the new SUV is already available in Brazil under the name VW Tera, Volkswagen Group Africa confirmed that the local version would carry a different name to give it a unique identity for the Southern African market. In the meantime, the vehicle was referred to either as the Tera or by its internal classification, the “A0 SUV”, which refers to the segment it belongs to.
To involve the public in the naming process, VW launched an online poll offering four pre-selected names: Tengo, Tavi, Tiva, and Tion, all following the brand’s tradition of naming SUVs with words starting with the letter “T”. After a 10-day voting period, the name “Tengo” was officially chosen.
Each name carried its own meaning. “Tengo” was selected for its cultural resonance in African languages, where it reflects values such as strength, resilience, and purpose. “Tavi” was presented as a gender-neutral term meaning good or beloved and also translates to “eight” in Latin. “Tiva” was said to represent nature, vitality, and life, while “Tion” was designed to evoke a sense of movement, change, and aesthetic appeal. In the end, Tengo stood out for its local relevance and symbolic depth.
Production start set for 2027
Volkswagen plans to manufacture the Tengo at its Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape — the same factory that currently produces the popular Polo and Polo Vivo. However, production of the Tengo is only expected to begin in 2027, which means it will be some time before motorists see the vehicle on local roads.
Although local specifications are yet to be finalised, the model’s Brazilian counterpart gives a good indication of what we can expect. In Brazil, the Tera is powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants. The naturally aspirated engine produces 56kW and 92Nm of torque, while the turbocharged versions vary depending on transmission. The six-speed manual delivers 81kW and 165Nm, and the six-speed automatic boosts output slightly to 85kW and 170Nm.
Generous list of features
Despite being targeted at the budget-conscious segment, the Tengo is expected to offer a generous list of features. The entry-level version in Brazil includes 15” wheels, LED headlights, electric side mirrors, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, an 8” digital instrument cluster, and a 10” infotainment touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety features are also notable for a vehicle in this segment. Standard equipment includes traction control, cruise control, rear parking sensors, driver fatigue monitoring, hill-start assist, autonomous emergency braking, and six airbags. Higher-spec models add further luxuries such as 17” diamond-cut alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger, a rear-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-change assist.
Estimated pricing
In Brazil, the Tera is priced from 99 900 reals, which translates to approximately N$325 000 at current exchange rates. That price point positions the Tengo well below the T-Cross, which currently retails from around N$400 000. However, since the Tengo is only expected to enter production in 2027, its final local price could be impacted by inflation and other market factors.
The VW Tengo represents a significant step in Volkswagen’s renewed efforts to dominate the affordable SUV segment. With its meaningful name, solid feature offering, and local production base, the Tengo has the potential to become a popular choice for budget-conscious drivers looking for practicality, technology, and style in one package.– Top Auto
While the new SUV is already available in Brazil under the name VW Tera, Volkswagen Group Africa confirmed that the local version would carry a different name to give it a unique identity for the Southern African market. In the meantime, the vehicle was referred to either as the Tera or by its internal classification, the “A0 SUV”, which refers to the segment it belongs to.
To involve the public in the naming process, VW launched an online poll offering four pre-selected names: Tengo, Tavi, Tiva, and Tion, all following the brand’s tradition of naming SUVs with words starting with the letter “T”. After a 10-day voting period, the name “Tengo” was officially chosen.
Each name carried its own meaning. “Tengo” was selected for its cultural resonance in African languages, where it reflects values such as strength, resilience, and purpose. “Tavi” was presented as a gender-neutral term meaning good or beloved and also translates to “eight” in Latin. “Tiva” was said to represent nature, vitality, and life, while “Tion” was designed to evoke a sense of movement, change, and aesthetic appeal. In the end, Tengo stood out for its local relevance and symbolic depth.
Production start set for 2027
Volkswagen plans to manufacture the Tengo at its Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape — the same factory that currently produces the popular Polo and Polo Vivo. However, production of the Tengo is only expected to begin in 2027, which means it will be some time before motorists see the vehicle on local roads.
Although local specifications are yet to be finalised, the model’s Brazilian counterpart gives a good indication of what we can expect. In Brazil, the Tera is powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants. The naturally aspirated engine produces 56kW and 92Nm of torque, while the turbocharged versions vary depending on transmission. The six-speed manual delivers 81kW and 165Nm, and the six-speed automatic boosts output slightly to 85kW and 170Nm.
Generous list of features
Despite being targeted at the budget-conscious segment, the Tengo is expected to offer a generous list of features. The entry-level version in Brazil includes 15” wheels, LED headlights, electric side mirrors, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, an 8” digital instrument cluster, and a 10” infotainment touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety features are also notable for a vehicle in this segment. Standard equipment includes traction control, cruise control, rear parking sensors, driver fatigue monitoring, hill-start assist, autonomous emergency braking, and six airbags. Higher-spec models add further luxuries such as 17” diamond-cut alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger, a rear-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-change assist.
Estimated pricing
In Brazil, the Tera is priced from 99 900 reals, which translates to approximately N$325 000 at current exchange rates. That price point positions the Tengo well below the T-Cross, which currently retails from around N$400 000. However, since the Tengo is only expected to enter production in 2027, its final local price could be impacted by inflation and other market factors.
The VW Tengo represents a significant step in Volkswagen’s renewed efforts to dominate the affordable SUV segment. With its meaningful name, solid feature offering, and local production base, the Tengo has the potential to become a popular choice for budget-conscious drivers looking for practicality, technology, and style in one package.– Top Auto
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