In a nutshell
Volkswagen’s Golf hatchback has been around for more than 30 years – and here’s the first proper SUV version. The Touareg’s baby brother will be badged Tiguan, and the Golf-based 4×4 will be pitched at Toyota’s Rav4 and the imminent new Land Rover Freelander and Honda CR-V. While VW’s full-size SUV is named after a Saharan tribe, the word Tiguan is a compound noun derived from tiger and iguana. The production car goes on sale in early 2008.
What it does/ how it looks
The Tiguan is a five-door, five-seat SUV running four-cylinder engines. And it looks just like VW’s 2006 Geneva show car, the Concept-A (pictured), after a reality check. So the Mazda RX8-style suicide doors, frameless side windows and a huge canvas roof all bite the dust. The roofline is also far less rakish, to boost headroom.
Under the skin
The Tiguan shares components with the Golf, and the base 1.4-litre version is front-wheel drive like its hatchback brother. That way VW can undercut the Rav4, which gets part-time four-wheel drive as standard. All other Tiguans are 4Motion, continually adjusting the torque split between both axles to ensure optimum traction. Transmission is via a manual six-speeder, while the dual-clutch DSG automatic can be mated to the two diesels and the 200bhp petrol. The chassis is naturally equipped with a stability programme and more airbags than seats, but it avoids off-road kit such as a low-range transfer case or more than one diff lock. The Tiguan measures 4430mm-long, 1800mm wide and stands 1670mm tall. It weighs a relatively lean 1546kg. The cargo bay holds 510 litres, down fractionally on the Rav4, although the Tiguan’s 64 litre fuel tank is slightly larger.
The engine room
The inside story
With its 2600mm-wheelbase, the Tiguan should have even more room than the spacious Rav4. The chunky dashboard is bespoke, and its layout will mimic the Concept-A’s (pictured). VW will offer a wide range of trims, including a top-draw Individual-line edition complete with special leather and bespoke wheels, plus a sporty GTi version with tauter ride and sharper handling.
How much and when?
Expect Tiguan starting prices to kick off just under £19,000 when UK sales begin in 2008. The production model is due at the 2007 Frankfurt show. VW’s annual production target is 130,000 units – a target that could be hard to hit without a V6 version for US customers.