But to maintain that position, it must bolster its lineup of crossovers – best described as a blend of cars and SUVs – a segment in which the company has had shortcomings in the U.S. The Tiguan hadn’t gotten a total overhaul since 2007. There is no official word on when it will be released in the United States, but it may be up to a year after the European launch.
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VW has pulled the wraps off the new generation of its Tiguan, the group’s first SUV to be based on the MQB platform, ahead of a Frankfurt Motor Show debut on Tuesday. This is the start of an SUV and crossover offensive from Volkswagen which will be facilitated by the new platform. If you were a fan of VW’s CrossBlue concept, you’re in luck – the new Tiguan borrows generously from the model paraded around the show circuit. It’s unclear whether we’ll get the GTE in the U.S.as well, but Volkswagen would be smart to bring the concept to hybrid-crazy America as well. And being MQB-based, it means the new Tiguan is also loaded with more tech. It stretches 176.6 inches long, 72.4 inches wide and 64.3 inches tall, dimensions that make it slightly longer, wider and shorter than its predecessor. While a turbocharged engine and Golf-like driving dynamics are all well and good, the reality is that VW’s smallest crossover lags behind nearly all of its rivals in technology, efficiency, and interior space.
This second-generation compact crossover is expected to have a range of TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines under the hood. There will not be this much choice for the American market, but the TDI option will be most welcome.
Eight powertrain options will be available initially in the new Tiguan.
There are two distinct models: the standard vehicle and the R Line version. For now the Tiguan GTE is only a pre-production concept auto, but once it reaches showrooms, this will be the third such model in VW’s green arsenal.
The plug-in uses a 13-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that enables 31 miles of electric driving before a gasoline engine kicks in.
The Tiguan also comes with a new 3-zone automatic climate control system called Pure Air Climatronic, has the largest panoramic sunroof, and electric 4-way lumbar support and massage function for the front seats.
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Touchscreens in the all-new Tiguan range from 5.0- to 8.0-inch units, and can be specified with built-in satellite navigation.
