The Volkswagen Tiguan is receiving a major technical and visual update - the big highlight being a new plug-in hybrid drive (PHEV ) version for Europe.
Volkswagen says the new Tiguan eHybrid1 can reach speeds of up to 130km/h fully electrically, thus generating zero local emissions.
Billed by Volkswagen as the continent’s most successful SUV, the Tiguan is also one of the top-selling three SUVs in the world. More than six million units have been produced by this spring. In 2019, the Tiguan was again the most popular model of the brand and entire Volkswagen Group.
The German marque is now showcasing a comprehensive update of the best-selling vehicle as part of its world premiere.
Ralf Brandstätter, new CEO of the Volkswagen brand, says the company had launched its global SUV strategy with the second-generation Tiguan in 2016.
"It served as the basis for many successful models worldwide. Volkswagen is now taking the next step by electrifying, digitalising and networking the new Tiguan. This will equip the compact SUV to handle the challenges of the modern era.”
New Tiguan
Volkswagen claims all key technology on board the best-seller is set to take a significant step forward. It adds that it is electrifying the Tiguan with a new, state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid drive.
The SUV will now also be available as a separate Tiguan R model for the first time. Volkswagen R’s performance experts have developed a new all-wheel drive with selective wheel torque control for the dynamic, top-of-the-range model.
The so called “R-Performance Torque Vectoring” enables new SUV driving dynamics by distributing the drive power variably between the front and rear axles, as well as the left and right rear wheels.
Volkswagen claims the new all-wheel drive 4Motion system with selective wheel torque control lends the Tiguan R a new level of SUV driving dynamics.
Volkswagen says its use of twin dosing now ensures the 2.0 TDI, 110 kW DSG 4Motion gives fuel consumption in l/100km (NEDC ): combined 5.1–4.9; and combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 135–129.
It adds that this makes the Tiguan among the cleanest combustion engines in the world.
Travel Assist
With the new optional Travel Assist system in the Tiguan, the German manufacturer claims the compact SUV is now capable of assisted driving at speeds up to 210km/h.
The Tiguan also offers, as an optional extra, the most recent generation of infotainment systems (MIB3 ) to bring a new range of online-based services and functions on board. Also new is the optional 480-watt sound system by audio specialist Harman Kardon.
Volkswagen says a new optional steering wheel featuring touch controls is also among the highlights of the new Tiguan. It has also digitalised the climate control functions by means of optional touch sliders and touch buttons. And last, but by no means least, the Tiguan’s new IQ. LED matrix headlights (another option ) can guide drivers through the night with enhanced convenience.
One of the freshened exterior features of the new Tiguan includes the redesigned front end. A new SUV radiator grille forges a visual link between the Tiguan and models such as the larger Touareg. It really lends the new Tiguan a significantly more confident appearance. The bonnet is more concise in its appearance and the new radiator grille with LED headlights is wider, with the new Volkswagen badge positioned centrally at the front. The bumpers have also undergone a makeover. At the rear, the Tiguan lettering is now in a prominent central position below the VW badge.
Like its predecessors, the new Tiguan looks to be a versatile and genuine SUV that will gain more popularity if the price is right.
