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Spyshots: 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details

It's been a while in the making, but we're getting close to the official reveal of the second-generation Tiguan SUV. It's a model Volkswagen desperately needs to fight the rising tide of compact 4x4s.
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details 18 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details2016 Volkswagen Tiguan Shows New Details
The latest prototype we've managed to photograph in Germany shows a little more detail than before. The headlights are on, and so are the daytime running lights. These appear to have a similar design to the Touareg facelift model, a clean, straight eyebrow along the top.

Of course, the Tiguan is based on the latest platform, the same MQB used by the Golf and the Passat. This will allow it to shed some kilos, though we don't expect a massive reduction. That's because the MkII will be much wider and a little longer too.

So we've established that it's going to look like a baby Touareg, but what will power it? Probably only turbocharged four-cylinder engines. Base models might be able to make due with a 1.4 TSI or 1.8 TSI. But, in general, this is a job for the 2.0 TDI. The latest generation of diesel will provide towers of torque and BlueMotion tech will keep fuel consumption in check.

Almost every crossover or SUV concept shown by Volkswagen since 2012 has been a hybrid. Will the Tiguan go electric too? We think so, especially considering herr Martin Winterkorn is crazy about making VW the top player in eco-friendliness. However, the powertrain from the Passat GTE doesn't seem like a good fit since it has the electric motor at the front.

What the Tiguan needs is an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid system, with about 100 hp coming from the electric juice at the rear axle. So far, no such prototype has been seen. But you never know what surprises they will have in store for us at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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