Volkswagen Meteor Ultra

Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus has launched the Meteor Ultra, an upgraded version of its Meteor heavy truck with a new engine rated up to 540 hp (397 kW), the most powerful in the brand’s Brazilian line-up. The company announced the range on 3 September 2026 and showed it at Fenatran in São Paulo, where sales opened.

Three versions are offered: the 28.500 6×2 with 500 hp (368 kW), and the 28.540 6×2 and 29.540 6×4, both with 540 hp. They use the MAN-sourced D26 Ultra, a 12.4-litre turbodiesel with up to 2,650 Nm (1,955 lb-ft) of torque.

Volkswagen says changes to the cylinder head, water pump, combustion system and engine management cut fuel consumption by up to 5% against the previous generation. The company says the engine covered more than three million kilometres of testing, including trials at altitudes of up to 4,800 m.

The 29.540 6×4 is reportedly rated at 74 t gross combination weight and 80 t maximum combination weight, with a sleeper cab and an air or bogie rear suspension. Inside there is a new 10-inch multimedia screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the Predictive Plus system uses GPS and online maps to anticipate the route and adjust gear shifts. The Volks|Connect app lets owners control functions remotely and receive software updates without a visit to the dealer.

The Ultra does not replace the 480 hp Meteor 28.480, which Volkswagen says remains the entry model of its premium heavy range. The company says the new 540 hp engines add 60 hp over that truck and 10 hp over the current Meteor 29.530.

Rodrigo Chaves, vice-president of engineering at Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus, said the company’s answer to the market is “flexibility”, with trucks that can be prepared for more performance and managed electronically.