Photo: Volkswagen
In 2012, Volkswagen presented a concept car called the Taigun in Brazil. For a long time, it looked like it was going to be put into production. But with Winterkorn gone from the helm, the company is now less interested in targeting every niche, just the ones that are profitable.
A company official has confirmed to German magazine Focus that the Taigun is not going to be made because the initial study is too small. However, that doesn't mean Volkswagen's plans for an SUV smaller below the Tiguan have been derailed.
The Taigun only measured 3,859mm long, stretching to 3,995mm with an externally mounted SUV. While India might appreciate such a car, even the South American market has begun to demand slightly larger 4x4s.
Instead of the Taigun, Volkswagen will show another concept SUV at the Geneva Motor Show. This is the rumored Polo SUV, which is being developed in parallel with the Audi Q2 and two sister cars from Skoda and SEAT.
Considering Audi has almost finished its subcompact SUV, Volkswagen's concept will be pre-production, and its development may be fast-tracked.
What's strange is that the Taigun may have received development funding in 2014, as this press document suggests: "At EUR 41.3 billion (roughly 64 percent), the Group will spend most of the total CAPEX in the Automotive Division on modernizing and extending the product range for all its brands. The main focus will be on expanding the SUV range - in particular in the A/A0 class - as well as on modernizing part of the light commercial vehicle portfolio."
Instead of using the Polo's PQ25 platform, as the "Polo SUV" name suggests, this car will ride on a micro version of the MQB used by the Golf. Considering that most modern subcompact 4x4s are big, VW engineers will only need to cut about 15 centimeters from the Golf's body.
Both AWD and FWD models will be offered with the latest turbocharged engines. Is the "Polo SUV" better than the Taigun? Definitely, but not cheaper, which is what the Brazilian market wanted.
But there could have been so many more. Last year, Volkswagen was forced to admit that it installed cheating devices to make its TDI diesel engines comply with emission regulations.
The company is facing huge fines and one of the most expensive recalls in automotive history. Thus, the new chairman was forced to cut spending.
The replacement for the Phaeton was the first victim. After the Taigun, Volkswagen could also scrap the Up! city car, as the A-segment market has never been profitable.
The Taigun only measured 3,859mm long, stretching to 3,995mm with an externally mounted SUV. While India might appreciate such a car, even the South American market has begun to demand slightly larger 4x4s.
Instead of the Taigun, Volkswagen will show another concept SUV at the Geneva Motor Show. This is the rumored Polo SUV, which is being developed in parallel with the Audi Q2 and two sister cars from Skoda and SEAT.
Considering Audi has almost finished its subcompact SUV, Volkswagen's concept will be pre-production, and its development may be fast-tracked.
What's strange is that the Taigun may have received development funding in 2014, as this press document suggests: "At EUR 41.3 billion (roughly 64 percent), the Group will spend most of the total CAPEX in the Automotive Division on modernizing and extending the product range for all its brands. The main focus will be on expanding the SUV range - in particular in the A/A0 class - as well as on modernizing part of the light commercial vehicle portfolio."
Instead of using the Polo's PQ25 platform, as the "Polo SUV" name suggests, this car will ride on a micro version of the MQB used by the Golf. Considering that most modern subcompact 4x4s are big, VW engineers will only need to cut about 15 centimeters from the Golf's body.
Both AWD and FWD models will be offered with the latest turbocharged engines. Is the "Polo SUV" better than the Taigun? Definitely, but not cheaper, which is what the Brazilian market wanted.
The second victim of Dieselgate
So far, Volkswagen has only two SUV models on offer, the Tiguan and Touareg. However, the latter will have several derivatives, including a 7-seater and a coupe.But there could have been so many more. Last year, Volkswagen was forced to admit that it installed cheating devices to make its TDI diesel engines comply with emission regulations.
The company is facing huge fines and one of the most expensive recalls in automotive history. Thus, the new chairman was forced to cut spending.
The replacement for the Phaeton was the first victim. After the Taigun, Volkswagen could also scrap the Up! city car, as the A-segment market has never been profitable.
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