Photo: auto.sina.com.cn
When Volkswagen presented the second-generation Tiguan at the IAA in Frankfurt last year, the German manufacturer said from the get-go that a long wheelbase variant is in the pipeline. As it happens, the Chinese carparazzi were the first to spot the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan XL sans camouflage.
Manufactured in China by SAIC Volkswagen, the Tiguan XL is, as you can tell from the featured photograph, noticeably longer than the regular model. In the exterior design department, Volkswagen bestowed upon the Tiguan XL a longer rear overhang to accommodate the third row of seats.
Upon closer inspection, we can also see that the rear doors have grown in length, as did the wheelbase. With the third-row passengers in mind, designers also modified the D-pillar by adding an upward kick to the rear quarter windows. It’s not the best-looking seven-seat sport utility vehicle out there, but overall I believe the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan XL fits the bill nicely.
Under the skin, the Tiguan XL will be available in front- or 4Motion all-wheel-drive form. The engine bay, on the other hand, will house a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with at least 200 horsepower on tap. In Europe and other markets, however, multiple output variants of the 2.0-liter TDI four-banger turbo diesel engine will be on the menu as well. Whereas the regular Tiguan will gain a plug-in hybrid variant in the near future, it isn't known if the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan XL will also tread on this eco-friendly path.
For the U.S. and Canada, the long wheelbase version of the Tiguan is expected to go on sale in early 2017. To be built in Mexico, the Tiguan XL will be joined by another seven-seat SUV in the Volkswagen lineup. Of course, I’m referring to the 2017 Volkswagen Nobody-Knows-What-It’s-Called-Yet. The obscurely named model will be larger than the Tiguan XL and will be made in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Until further notice, North America will have to settle for the first-generation Tiguan and Toureg, two strictly five-seater SUVs.
Upon closer inspection, we can also see that the rear doors have grown in length, as did the wheelbase. With the third-row passengers in mind, designers also modified the D-pillar by adding an upward kick to the rear quarter windows. It’s not the best-looking seven-seat sport utility vehicle out there, but overall I believe the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan XL fits the bill nicely.
Under the skin, the Tiguan XL will be available in front- or 4Motion all-wheel-drive form. The engine bay, on the other hand, will house a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with at least 200 horsepower on tap. In Europe and other markets, however, multiple output variants of the 2.0-liter TDI four-banger turbo diesel engine will be on the menu as well. Whereas the regular Tiguan will gain a plug-in hybrid variant in the near future, it isn't known if the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan XL will also tread on this eco-friendly path.
For the U.S. and Canada, the long wheelbase version of the Tiguan is expected to go on sale in early 2017. To be built in Mexico, the Tiguan XL will be joined by another seven-seat SUV in the Volkswagen lineup. Of course, I’m referring to the 2017 Volkswagen Nobody-Knows-What-It’s-Called-Yet. The obscurely named model will be larger than the Tiguan XL and will be made in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Until further notice, North America will have to settle for the first-generation Tiguan and Toureg, two strictly five-seater SUVs.
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