Volkswagen recently confirmed that they are planning an affordable SUV. The concept of this upcoming affordable SUV was revealed recently, and it will be called Tera. It appears Volkswagen has already started testing the SUV internationally. We have a set of images from Argentina where the Volkswagen Tera has been spotted testing with heavy camouflage for the first time.
The images have been shared by Motor1 on their website. In the leaked images, we see a heavily camouflaged SUV being driven on both tarmac and dirt tracks. The design of the SUV looks different from current Volkswagen models, especially SUVs. The headlamps look sleeker and act as part of the front grille.
The production version of the SUV may have a design similar to the Taigun. The SUV will be launched in Brazil next year, and it will come to other markets, including India, in the future. We can expect a version of this SUV to be launched in India around 2026. The Tera is based on the same platform as many other Volkswagen SUVs.
The international version is based on the MQB A0 platform, while the Indian version will use the MQB A0 IN platform, which is also seen in the Virtus, Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Slavia, and recently launched Kushaq. The Volkswagen Tera will be a sub-4 meter SUV that will sit below the Taigun. Volkswagen was initially reluctant to enter this sub-4 meter segment and only recently started considering an SUV like this.
Volkswagen Tera will use the same platform as the Kushaq, and like the Taigun and Skoda Kushaq, both SUVs are likely to share components. However, the exterior design of the two SUVs will be different, which would save Volkswagen a lot in product development. The Volkswagen Tera will see heavy localization, which will be reflected in the pricing.
Volkswagen is likely to manufacture this SUV at their facility in Chakan, Pune. Volkswagen Tera will be available with a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, the same engine found in the lower variants of the Taigun and Virtus. This engine will be offered with both manual and automatic transmission options.
However, there are rumors that Volkswagen will introduce a more powerful GT variant of the Tera with a 1.5-liter TSI engine. Volkswagen Tera will come with features like an electric sunroof, automatic climate control, seat ventilation, touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, and more.
Volkswagen Tera will be the most affordable SUV from Volkswagen and their first sub-4 meter SUV. Volkswagen previously brought the Ameo sedan to the sub-4 meter segment, but it didn’t perform well in the market.
They had invested heavily in the development of the Ameo but didn’t see sufficient returns. This was one reason why Volkswagen was initially hesitant to enter this segment. If they can price the Tera aggressively, it could be a strong competitor in the market.
When launched, the Volkswagen Tera will compete with the likes of the Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Brezza, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, and the recently launched Skoda Kushaq.
