Photo: SB-Medien
SUVs and crossovers play a major role in Volkswagen's future plans of expansion. From its current lineup of only two models, the automaker plans to expand to no less than six, ranging from the baby Taigun based on the Up! to a large 7-seater crossover-type rival to the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Highlander.
The first major new product is expected to be the Tiguan, put together with all the lessons learned from the Golf. Its MQB modular platform will be shoehorned into this new role and could share numerous components with SEAT's first SUV and the replacement for the Yeti.
And like the Yeti, we believe the Tiguan will have two distinctive versions, one that's at home in the city (low and efficienct) and one for adventures (tougher and with better clearances).
These latest spyshots show a test mule for what's likely to be the city-SUV being driven on Alpine roads. With a trailer behind it to provide extra electricity and stowage for the diagnostics equipment, the Mk2 is still hiding its major secrets but it sits low to the ground on wider front and rear tracks. Only the two front wheels are hooked up to the sensors, which could also mean this is a front-wheel drive version of the Tiguan.
Besides the engines VW has already accustomed us to, the Germans are planning to offer a few new ones, starting with an efficient 1.6 TDI making 120 hp. Tiguans have previously not been available with this type of engine (1.6 TDI), but thanks to the MQB platform, the vehicle will be lighter and thus better able to cope with low power.
Sadly, the first glimpses of the Tiguan's new interior don't tell us much. The whole dashboard is the same, which is pretty much what you'd expect from a test mule. Hidden behind the black fabric cover, its steering wheel could be brand new, but we don't expect it will be much different to the one on the Golf.
A big screen floating over the center console is visible, but it's likely just something used by the test engineers. It seems extremely unlikely that conservative Volkswagen will make something that's even remotely similar to Peugeot's design. However, the Tiguan will be plenty-different in the tech department. Many firsts for the non-premium C-SUV segment are possible: the first LED headlights, the first all-digital, the first twin-turbo 2-liter diesel and the first digital instrument cluster.
With many other compact SUVs poised to hit the market in the next two years, the Tiguan's success all depends on timing and the right combination of ingredients.
And like the Yeti, we believe the Tiguan will have two distinctive versions, one that's at home in the city (low and efficienct) and one for adventures (tougher and with better clearances).
These latest spyshots show a test mule for what's likely to be the city-SUV being driven on Alpine roads. With a trailer behind it to provide extra electricity and stowage for the diagnostics equipment, the Mk2 is still hiding its major secrets but it sits low to the ground on wider front and rear tracks. Only the two front wheels are hooked up to the sensors, which could also mean this is a front-wheel drive version of the Tiguan.
Besides the engines VW has already accustomed us to, the Germans are planning to offer a few new ones, starting with an efficient 1.6 TDI making 120 hp. Tiguans have previously not been available with this type of engine (1.6 TDI), but thanks to the MQB platform, the vehicle will be lighter and thus better able to cope with low power.
Sadly, the first glimpses of the Tiguan's new interior don't tell us much. The whole dashboard is the same, which is pretty much what you'd expect from a test mule. Hidden behind the black fabric cover, its steering wheel could be brand new, but we don't expect it will be much different to the one on the Golf.
A big screen floating over the center console is visible, but it's likely just something used by the test engineers. It seems extremely unlikely that conservative Volkswagen will make something that's even remotely similar to Peugeot's design. However, the Tiguan will be plenty-different in the tech department. Many firsts for the non-premium C-SUV segment are possible: the first LED headlights, the first all-digital, the first twin-turbo 2-liter diesel and the first digital instrument cluster.
With many other compact SUVs poised to hit the market in the next two years, the Tiguan's success all depends on timing and the right combination of ingredients.
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