Photo: Nicolas Basilio/Behance
It’s quite easy to lose track of how many crossovers and SUVs Volkswagen has, but if you live in North America, then the chances are that you already know about the Taos. The compact model will arrive in showrooms nationwide later this month, sitting under the Tiguan, and was recently imagined as a GTI.
The digital illustrations come via Nicolas Basilio on Behance and give us a preview of a hypothetical hot derivative of the Taos. The grille was blacked out for a sportier appearance, and red trim was added below the hood. The bumper was slightly revised, and the roof rails were shaved off. The GTI emblems on the grille and front fenders, together with the bigger wheels that spin around the red brake calipers, and a slightly lowered ground clearance, round out the looks.
Now, the odds are probably not in its favor, but with the booming demand for such vehicles, you never know. So, to challenge the likes of Hyundai Kona N, it would need a sportier chassis configuration, with stiffer suspension and sharper steering.
The punchier engine would command bigger brakes too, and the upgrades should continue inside, with front sports seats featuring extra side bolstering and perhaps integrated headrests, plus the usual color and trim changes. Volkswagen definitely has the ability to come up with a Taos GTI, but should they?
Before answering this question, we will remind you that in North America, where it starts at $22,995, excluding destination, it packs a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 158 HP and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm) of torque.
The eight-speed automatic transmission is offered solely in the front-wheel-drive versions, while models equipped with the optional all-wheel-drive system get a seven-speed DSG. In Latin America, the Taos has a 148 HP and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) 1.4-liter turbo-four.
Now, the odds are probably not in its favor, but with the booming demand for such vehicles, you never know. So, to challenge the likes of Hyundai Kona N, it would need a sportier chassis configuration, with stiffer suspension and sharper steering.
The punchier engine would command bigger brakes too, and the upgrades should continue inside, with front sports seats featuring extra side bolstering and perhaps integrated headrests, plus the usual color and trim changes. Volkswagen definitely has the ability to come up with a Taos GTI, but should they?
Before answering this question, we will remind you that in North America, where it starts at $22,995, excluding destination, it packs a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 158 HP and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm) of torque.
The eight-speed automatic transmission is offered solely in the front-wheel-drive versions, while models equipped with the optional all-wheel-drive system get a seven-speed DSG. In Latin America, the Taos has a 148 HP and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) 1.4-liter turbo-four.
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