Volkswagen has revealed the next-generation Tiguan that will reach dealers in selected markets early next year, the third-gen version featuring a range of engine options including petrol, diesel and hybrid.
More than 7,6-million have been sold since its debut in 200 and Kai Grünitz, Brand Board Member for Technical Development at Volkswagen says: "The latest evolutionary stage of the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB evo) forms the highly innovative technical basis of the third generation of the Tiguan.
“Thanks to the large economies of scale of the MQB evo, Volkswagen is once again democratising numerous high-tech developments such as the DCC Pro or the new hybrid drives with an electric range of about 100 km and making them available to hundreds of thousands of drivers.
AC charging will be faster in all eHybrid versions and fast DC charging will also be possible as standard for the first time, while the newly designed Digital Cockpit based on the MIB4, the fourth-generation modular infotainment matrix, offers the highest level of information and brings digital services and apps on board.
Radiator Openings
On the outside, the Tiguan has flat LED headlights and a glass-covered horizontal strip up front, while the radiator grille openings are now located at the outer sides of the bumper, where air curtains optimise flow and help reduce the drag coefficient from 0,33 to 0,28.
The interior gets a completely new concept and design that includes an infotainment screen that measures up to 38 centimetres and has an entirely new menu structure and graphics, a new head-up display and a new multifunction driving experience switch with an integrated OLED display.
This new rotary control with its own mini screen can be used to control the driving profile, radio volume or also the background lighting colours. In contrast, numerous vehicle and infotainment functions can be easily adjusted using natural language with the new IDA voice assistant.
All the drive options will be offered exclusively in conjunction with the automatic direct-shift gearbox (DSG) and, like on the Volkswagen ID. models and the new Passat, the gear position will be by means of a steering column switch on the right of the steering wheel. The switch is turned forwards to ‘D’ to drive forwards and backwards to ‘R’ to reverse, while the parking brake is activated by pressing the side of the switch. All Tiguan models have paddles behind the steering wheel.
Chassis Control
Volkswagen has also revamped the adaptive chassis control DCC: with the optional DCC Pro with two-valve shock absorbers and it is equipped as standard with a Vehicle Dynamics Manager. The system controls the functions of the electronic differential locks (XDS) and the lateral dynamics components of the controlled shock absorbers in the DCC Pro system.
Comfort is not ignored and the new version has ergoActive seats with pneumatic four-way lumbar adjustment and pneumatic 10-chamber pressure massage function along with a programming function for automatic activation of the seat heating or seat ventilation at certain outside temperatures.
The Tiguan is the first MQB model to be launched with the newly developed IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights that see 38 400 multipixel LEDs illuminate the road and the surrounding area.
The Tiguan is equipped with a large number of convenience and assist systems as standard. In addition to Side Assist (lane change system), Front Assist (Autonomous Emergency Braking), Lane Assist (lane keeping system) and Rear View (rear view camera system), these also include Dynamic Road Sign Display.
The new Tiguan has increased in length by approximately three centimetres. The height, width and wheelbase remain practically identical to the predecessor. The luggage compartment capacity of the new generation shows just how good the use of space is: although the SUV is only slightly longer, its luggage compartment capacity has increased by 37 litres to 652 litres (when loaded up to the height of the rear seat backrests).
Volkswagen South Africa still has to confirm is, and when, the new model will be launched locally and what the powertrain options will be.
Colin Windell – proudly CHANGECARS
