After selling over 2.64 million of the first generation Tiguan SUV, Volkswagen is showing the newly developed European Tiguan at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.
Volkswagen is showing four versions of the new Tiguan simultaneously at Frankfurt. The production versions are the very sporty Tiguan R-Line®, the classic on-road model and a special off-road version. Meanwhile, the Tiguan GTE concept vehicle that has a 160 kW/218 PS plug-in hybrid drivetrain shows how the best-selling compact SUV could further develop. The Tiguan GTE is equipped with a solar module that generates renewable electricity that is fed into the battery, enabling up to 1,000 additional kilometres of zero emissions electric driving.
For Volkswagen, the new Tiguan marks the beginning of an SUV product offensive. In upcoming years, the brand will be launching other innovative SUVs that are tailored to specific markets in a wide variety of segments worldwide. Volkswagen will be extending the range of SUV vehicles it offers, especially in the U.S. Forecasts indicate that the SUV share will also increase significantly in China and that additional SUV growth will also occur in Europe. Unlike in Europe, drivers in the U.S. and China prefer versions with a longer wheelbase, which is the reason the new Tiguan was systematically developed for two different wheelbases from the start. The “long” Tiguan will be introduced to specific markets starting in the Fall of 2016.
The MQB architecture improves all aspects of the Tiguan. The proportions of the latest Volkswagen SUV are even sportier, the design is truly charismatic, and the vehicle’s weight was reduced by more than 110 pounds compared to the previous model. A gigantic leap forward has been made in terms of the vehicle’s interior and trunk space: the capacity of the trunk has increased by 1.8 cubic feet, to 18.4 cu ft, and the load space can be enlarged to 21.8 cu ft by sliding the rear bench seat forward, by up to 7.1 inches. When the rear seat is folded, the cargo capacity is 58.5 cu ft, a gain of 5.1 cu ft.
The engines are more efficient as well. A broad range of eight engines are offered, ranging in output from 92 kW / 125 PS to 176 kW / 240 PS. The engines are more powerful, yet they are up to 24 per cent more fuel-efficient than the Euro 5 engines in the previous model. The new 4MOTION® Active Control system also makes it easier than ever to adapt the all-wheel drive to all possible conditions. The Tiguan is now designed to tow loads up to 5,512 pounds.
The new Tiguan has class leading connectivity and driver assistance features. The assistance systems include standard Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, Lane Assist and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. Connectivity services include automatic accident notification, online traffic and parking space information, and a vehicle status report, while App-Connect integrates all current smartphone platforms with the infotainment system.
The result is a Tiguan which extensively redefines the A-SUV segment. It’s an SUV that satisfies all expectations – both on-road and off-road.
The new, larger dimensions and proportions elevate the Tiguan from the previous model. At 176.6 inches in length, the new model is 2.4 in longer, and its wheelbase has been increased by 3.0 in to 105.6 in. The new vehicle is 72.4 in wide, which is 1.2 in more than before. Meanwhile, its height was reduced by 1.3 in to 64.3 in on the base, front-wheel-drive model. The coefficient of drag of the new Tiguan was reduced to 0.31 as well, thanks to numerous aerodynamic improvements, such as the door mirrors that were perfected in wind tunnel testing and airflow simulations: this has resulted in a 40 per cent reduction in overall air drag losses on the body.
The front end of the new Tiguan has a significantly wider stance. This is attributable to an actual increase in physical width plus the visual effect of the horizontally aligned radiator grille and headlights. The Tiguan is the first Volkswagen SUV to be equipped with dual LED headlights. Above the headlights, a chrome strip runs across the front of the car. Above the radiator grille and the headlights, the V-shaped hood shoots toward the windshield.
The vehicle’s side profile is extremely distinctive. The waistline is higher compared with the previous model, which emphasises the SUV style. The character line is also higher and extends over the entire silhouette. The door handles are seamlessly positioned in this line. Beneath the upper line, a horizontal surface follows as a break, and then there is the second character line. Designers talk of a “line dialogue” here. The lower of these lines emphasizes the flared, powerful looking wheelarches and the shoulder section.
In contrast to the previous model, the area above the character line is a flatter and has a more elegant band of side windows. This band extends into the dynamically angled D-pillars. The lowest section of the body is an anthracite-coloured area that wraps around the vehicle; the same colour is used for the rugged plastic trim around the wheelarches. A chrome trim strip separates the body colour surfaces and the anthracite cladding. This chrome accent is continued at the rear.
The lateral character line becomes a defining rear element above the rear lights. The line defines the upper border of the standard LED rear lights that have a sharp horizontal cut. This cut is continued as a line between the rear lights and forms a trailing edge that is important aerodynamically. The tailgate opening was increased compared to the previous model, too. The lower part of the tail features an anthracite-coloured area and an aluminium-look diffuser that is integrated with the chrome-plated trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes.
The completely redesigned interior of the Tiguan has a decidedly sporty yet typically SUV character. The central elements are the instrument cluster (available as the digital Active Info Display) and the infotainment system that is positioned high in the centre stack and angled toward the driver. The dash panel and centre console form a single unit. The centre console itself is dominated by an array of buttons that are laid out around the gear lever. As on the exterior, the designers also systematically applied the “form follows function” principle and create a cockpit style atmosphere. The designers also emphasised the SUV nature of the interior in their choice of surface textures.
Thanks to clever packaging, seating space has been significantly improved in the new Tiguan, which has 1.0 in more interior length. Three passengers in the rear seating area, for instance, have 1.1 in more knee room. The size of the luggage compartment has also increased. At 18.4 cubic feet, the cargo capacity of the new model has increased by 1.8 cu ft (with five persons on-board). In addition, the rear bench seat is asymmetrically split and adjustable longitudinally. The reclining angle of the seat backrest can also be adjusted. The cargo area can be enlarged to 21.8 cu ft by sliding the rear bench seat forward (by up to 7.1 inches). When the rear bench is folded, this results in a volume of 58.5 cu ft. If necessary, the backrest of the front passenger seat can be folded fully forward for stowing very long items. Last but not least, it is now even easier to load the Tiguan, because the load sill has been lowered further.
The new Tiguan is one of the world’s most advanced compact SUVs, featuring an impressive array of innovations. First, there are technologies like the 12.3-inch Active Info display (interactive, fully digital main instruments with five information profiles) and the head-up display that is being offered for the first time in a Volkswagen SUV. Second, the vehicle’s safety, convenience and connectivity have been taken to a new level by an array of driver assistance and infotainment systems.
Even the base Trendline model has a number of advanced standard features. These include Front Assist that features City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring as well as the active hood and the Lane Assist lane departure warning system. In addition, the safety equipment is completed by a network of seven airbags, including a knee airbag on the driver’s side, and the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System; it helps to avoid secondary collisions. Comfortline mid-level trims have the Driver Alert System as standard.
The top Highline trim is also equipped with adaptive cruise control (ACC), which utilizes radar to accelerate or brake the Tiguan and thus always maintain the correct distance to traffic ahead. If the SUV is equipped with DSG® in addition to ACC, it automatically handles stop-and-go traffic as well (traffic jam assist). Other Tiguan driver assistance systems include the optional Side Assist (lane-changing assistant), Pre-Crash proactive occupant protection (detects elevated collision potential, tensions the front seatbelts to preventively restrain the driver and front passenger and closes open windows and the sunroof to just a small gap), Emergency Assist (recognises if the driver is no longer responsive and brakes the car to a stop) and Area View (360 degree all-round view using four cameras that is especially useful off-road).
The new Tiguan will be available in the Trendline, Comfortline and Highline equipment lines in Europe. All versions may be ordered with an off-road front end as an alternative. The Tiguan Comfortline and Tiguan Highline feature a sporty look with the ‘normal’ front end. The new R-Line packages make the SUV look even more dynamic. The Comfortline and Highline may also be ordered with the Design package or in the Exclusive equipment specification.
The R-Line packages can be ordered as either a total package of exterior and interior features or an alternative exterior package. On the exterior, the R-Line features “Sebring” 19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels or optional 20-inch “Suzuka” alloys. Previously, Tiguans could only have rims up to 19 inches in diameter.
Except for the wheelarches, all other anthracite body surfaces are painted in body colour, including the exclusive door trims which have the same visual effect as side sill extensions. The exterior design is finished by R-Line bumpers that have gloss black aerodynamic accents, a two-tone roof spoiler and a gloss black rear diffuser. The interior features R-Line seats (cloth and microfiber seat upholstery, optional “Vienna” leather upholstery), aluminium door sill guards with the R-Line logo that can be optionally illuminated, decorative stitching in Crystal Grey, special trim accents, stainless steel pedal caps and footrest, black headliner and a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with the R-Line logo.
