Volkswagen Tiguan: the lowdown
Here’s an unusual scoop – officially sanctioned photos of VW’s Tiguan hot-weather testing in Namibia. It’s still in pre-production form, but these shots reveal the finished look aside from the fake grille to fool ‘real’ spy photographers. The Tiguan has changed little since it was unveiled in concept form at the Los Angeles show last November and save for a bit of disguise around the lights VW isn’t leaving much to the imagination.
What exactly is the Tiguan?
Based on the Golf, the Tiguan is VW’s contender in the mid-range SUV market. It will take on the likes of the Freelander, X3 and Audi’s forthcoming Cross Coupe Concept. Volkswagen is boasting a vast array of electronic gadgetry on the Tiguan, which makes it the most advanced small SUV on the market. VW claims it will arrive in showrooms later in the year.
What can we expect under the bonnet?
Volkswagen will be offering punters plenty of engines. There will be a total of five engine options: three petrol engines and two oil-burners. The entry-level TSI petrol engine will start at 148bhp, with the more powerful versions packing 168bhp and 197bhp. The two TDI engines will offer 138bhp and 168bhp. It’s still too early for fuel consumption or performance figures.
So what are all the technical bits that Volkswagen has been raving about?
VW claims that the Tiguan will be more than just a jacked up Golf with chunky tyres. The underpinnings have been heavily modified to enhance the Tiguan’s performance away from the tarmac. VW’s familiar 4MOTION 4wd system will distribute torque between all four corners of the car when it requires some extra grip. The suspension is beefed-up to cope with the bumpier bits with the addition of an aluminium sub-frame at the front and a four-link axle at the rear. Base versions of the Tiguan get 16-inch wheels with 215/65 tires, whilst the classy ‘Sport and Style’ spec models are furnished with meatier 235/55 and 17-inch alloys. Those who prefer bling to off-roading can upgrade to 18-inch alloys to impress fellow urban SUV drivers.
What about inside?
Volkswagen is offering plenty of interior luxuries. There will be no excuse for wonky parking, as the Tiguan will be the first SUV to be fitted with Park Assist, offering automatic steering into a space, and a rear-view camera making life almost perfect for the lazy parker. There’s also an abundance of forward-facing driving aids, as the sat-nav system also works off-road, and when ‘Offroad mode’ is engaged the Tiguan is blessed with all number of rock-climbing abilities, such as EDS adaptation, ABS adaptation and hill-climb assist.
When are we likely to see it in the showrooms?
The finished product will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motorshow in September and the car is expected to arrive in the UK later in the year. Prices should start at around £20,000 for the entry-level models. Those after a Golf with a decent pair of wellies should keep their eyes peeled.