2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Launched with Only Two Engines, First Specs Revealed

Mind you, that's only if you happen to live in Germany and are crazy enough to trust them with 30,000 of your hard-earned euros. As far as we know, there aren't any production models available at this moment, so test drives are out of the question.

Unlike the American version, which will have three rows of seats, the European Tiguan only seats five people. However, there is a fair bit of customization available. We looked inside the official German configurator and three traditional trim levels are available at prices starting from €30,025.

Besides that, you can order this compact SUV with the sporty R-Line body kit (shown above), as a classic on-road model or off-road version that sits taller and comes with wedged bumpers designed for clear slopes.

Only three engine+powertraintran configurations will be available at launch, centered around two turbocharged 2.0-liter engines. This is the lowest amount of any major Volkswagen product launched in the past decade, proving the Germans want to be sure everything is perfect from an emissions standpoint.

The only diesel engine you can have is the 2.0 TDI rated at 150 PS, which can be combined with a manual 6-speed gearbox and FWD or the 7-speed DSG and 4Motion AWD.

As usual, the configurator offers the first tangible specs. We've been waiting for these numbers ever since Frankfurt, so let's dive right in.

The base model with FWD and a stick shifter weighs in at 1,568 kg (3,457 pounds), so it's not as light as a feather. But thanks to its 340 Nm (251 lb-ft) of torque, the engine can push this SUV to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 9.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 204 km/h (127 mph).

I wouldn't buy this version of the Tiguan and would instead opt for the AWD model with a standard DSG. At €33,925, it's noticeably more expensive. It's 100 kg (220 pounds) heavier and falls from emissions group A to B, but you can't have an SUV without AWD. Despite being heavier, this model takes the same 9.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h and tops out at 200 km/h (124 mph),  which has to do with aerodynamics.

If you don't plan on doing 20,000 kilometers (12,400 miles) per year or more, you might want to consider getting a gasoline engine instead. The only one available at the moment is a 2.0 TSI rated at 180 PS and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque. The advantages are that the lighter, more powerful engine makes short work of acceleration, pushing the Tiguan to 100 km/h in only 7.7 seconds. If you like the R-Line package, a meaty exhaust sound probably fits your tastes better.

While it's true that diesels are ideal for longer journeys, modern TSI gasoline engines aren't that bad either. For most people, an average fuel consumption of 7.3 l/100km should seem totally agreeable.

In the new Tiguan, 4MOTION Active Control is being used for the first time. This system optimally adapts the all-wheel drive system to driving conditions with the Onroad, Offroad, Snow, and Offroad Individual driving modes. The new Tiguan is also an ideal towing vehicle, since it can handle trailer loads of up to 2.5 tons, noticeably higher than any Passat. There are also plenty of comfort options to choose from, at extra cost, of course.