The has always been a handsome if somewhat disappointing little crossover—it drives nicely, but, it’s simply too expensive to compete in the small SUV segment. At the, VW showed off the next generation of its trucklet in European-market trim, and one thing is for certain: The Tiguan has grown up. We mean that in a number of ways. VW says this new model is 2.4 inches longer and 1.2 inches wider, and that it boasts a three-inch stretch to the wheelbase. The new model loses 1.3 inches of height in base trim, which along with the wider-set face and squared-off body lines, takes away some of the gawky standing-on-tip-toes proportions of the last model. ![]() In profile, the new Tiguan bears a favorable resemblance to, particularly in the shape of its greenhouse. VW says the stretched footprint translates to more interior space that it apportioned in particular to rear knee room and greater cargo capacity. Stretching for America But as much as the European-spec Tiguan shown here has grown, there’s more in store for other markets, namely the U.S. This new crossover is built on VW’s, which can support a number of wheelbases for vehicles with front-transverse-mounted engines. VW plans to take full advantage of that: “the new Tiguan was systematically developed for two different wheelbases from the start,” the automaker says. ![]() “Unlike in Europe, drivers in the U.S. And China prefer versions with a longer wheelbase.”, and we understand that the eventual U.S.-spec long-wheelbase Tiguan—which is slated to be built in Mexico—will offer both two- and three-row seating. VW says the lwb Tiguan will hit the streets in the fall of 2016, and the short-wheelbase European model shown here almost definitely will not be available in North America. Wheelbase and Euro equipment aside, this new Tiguan still provides a good glimpse at the eventual U.S. VW says that despite the growth, the new short-wheelbase Tiguan sheds more than 110 pounds versus the previous model. ![]() ![]() Inside, a 12.3-inch Active Info dash display and head-up information readout face the driver. Volkswagen’s MIB II modular infotainment system incorporates, along with live-updating, location-based alerts for traffic, nearby available parking, and fuel stations. The Goods In Europe, VW will offer the Tiguan with two front fascias: the standard fitment, and an “off road” version available with all trims that offers an improved approach angle. As with the last generation, an available R-Line appearance package trades in the black plastic body cladding for body-color accents, and brings 20-inch wheels to the Tiguan for the first time. 4MOTION all-wheel-drive, available either standard or as an option on all but the base model, defaults to front-wheel-drive until low-traction events engage the Haldex coupling and stability-control-based “electronic differential locks.” An Active Control dial offers four drive modes for various driving conditions. The drivetrain choices for Continental buyers all revolve around turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder engines. Four are TSI gasoline units, and four others are TDI diesels. The most powerful gas engine puts out around 217 horsepower, while the gutsiest diesel, a twin-turbo 2.0-liter, cranks out nearly 240 ponies. VW says the new Tiguan can tow up to 5500 pounds. Naturally, the new Tiguan brings with it a whole host of safety and convenience features. Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, Lane Assist and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, and Pre-Crash (which tensions the front seatbelts and closes the sunroof and any open windows when a crash is imminent) all promise a cocoon of safety. An optional radar-based adaptive cruise control can handle stop-and-go traffic, and Area View, a four-camera, 360-degree view, helps monitor your surroundings when you’re rock-crawling. Or trying not to hit a car in the IKEA parking lot. Pluggin’ Tig VW also showed off a Tiguan GTE plug-in hybrid “concept.” Like, this concept teams a 1.4-liter TSI gas engine with a transmission-mounted electric motor and a 13-kWh battery pack to produce a combined 215 horsepower. Unique to the Tiguan GTE is a full-length rooftop solar panel, which VW says can generate up to 621 miles of electric driving range annually. The automaker says that in electric-only mode, the Tiguan GTE could cover 31 miles and hit a top speed of 80 mph—although probably not on the same drive. Various drive modes allow motoring in all-electric, hybrid, battery charging, or GTE modes, the last of which uses the electric motor to “boost” the gas drivetrain for a 0-to-62-mph sprint in just 8.1 seconds. While Volkswagen refers to the Tiguan GTE strictly as a concept, such a vehicle would fit right in with the that the automaker has presented as both concepts and production vehicles. And while the production-ready Tiguans shown in Frankfurt aren’t exactly what we’ll see in the U.S., they give us a pretty good idea of what to expect. The new Tiguan goes on sale in Europe in April 2016; we should know more about our version by then.
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July 2018
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