All-New Volkswagen Tiguan Comes in Four Flavours
If any car maker has nailed the crossover formula, it’s Volkswagen. The German powerhouse’s A5 platform is a multi-purpose masterpiece of engineering that underpins everything from the Skoda Yeti to the Audi A3 as well as a plethora of VW’s own best-selling saloons, hatches and crossovers. The Tiguan in particular has seen enormous sales success since its launch in 2007 with over 2.64 million examples of the SUV rolling through dealership doors all over the world.
On the back of this success, VW is ready to bring the seven year old Tiguan bang up to date with a second generation of the compact crossover revealed at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Volkswagen is showcasing not one but four versions of the new Tiguan at Germany’s biggest auto show. The classic model will be joined by the sporty Tiguan R-Line along with a more rugged version geared specifically towards off-road antics. A fourth incarnation, the Tiguan GTE concept, is a 215bhp plug-in hybrid that offers a glimpse at future, eco-friendly lines of development.
As for the three Tiguan launch models, an ample selection of eight diesel and petrol engines will muster between 113 and 237bhp. These units have been upgraded to ensure a power gain on those of the outgoing Tiguan, yet are also more fuel efficient than their predecessors. All come with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION Active Control as standard, affording greater flexibility in adjusting the all-wheel drive system.
Volkswagen engineers have slimmed down the new Tiguan to the extent that it weighs in at 50 kg less than the previous model. Meanwhile, significantly improved interior and luggage space (a full 615 litres in the boot alone) means the updated Tiguan registers highly in the practicality stakes and trailer loads of up to 2,500 kg present it with no problem.
On-board electronics ensure full smartphone compatibility with the Tiguan’s infotainment system and even tablets can be plumbed into the interface via the VW Media Control app.
The all-new Volkswagen Tiguan should be on sale in Europe by the start of next year. Whether it can trump the storming sales figures of its predecessor is yet to be seen but with discernible improvements across the board in practicality and in the engine room, it’s a safe bet that this most adaptable and dependable of crossovers will fly out of the showrooms.
