Gurgel Xavante (X-10 / X-11 / X-12) History

The Xavante X-10 launched in 1973 as the first Gurgel model built with Plasteel — a patented composite of steel and fiberglass that was highly resistant to corrosion, deformation, and impact. It used the VW Beetle's rear-mounted air-cooled engine and chassis, but Gurgel's own body construction gave it properties that conventional steel bodies could not match in Brazil's harsh backcountry conditions.

A novel 'Selectraction' system fitted dual hand-operated rear-wheel brakes, allowing the driver to apply braking force independently to either rear wheel — a rudimentary but effective form of traction control on loose or muddy surfaces. The X-10 was followed by the X-11 (a late-1970s variant) and then the X-12, which became the greatest commercial success in the company's history during the 1980s.

In 1988 the X-12 received a revised front end with rectangular headlights and an enlarged cabin, adopting the name Tocantins. This final evolution was exported to approximately 40 countries, making Gurgel between 1977 and 1978 the leading Brazilian exporter in the special-vehicle category, with about 25 percent of production going abroad.