A Teased Look at the Upcoming VW Tiguan
The time has now come for Volkswagen to retire its second-generation Tiguan crossover SUV that has been on sale in SA since 2016.
When the current Tiguan model was launched, it altered the whole segment by offering outstanding levels of space while also benefiting from a lot of new technologies that made it a more complete option to challenge the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage, to name a few.
That said, it had also deliberately positioned itself in the upmarket segment as a 7-seater with the Allspace variant, giving those seeking additional seats an option instead of going for the flagship Touareg.
Not Much To See
Speaking of the third-generation Tiguan model, Volkswagen has now released teaser images of the upcoming SUV based on the MQB evo platform that also underpins the Golf 8 and its Audi A3 counterpart. An improved version of the current platform will allow VW to electrify the Tiguan for the first time.
Dressed in full camo, it’s challenging to see exactly what the new Tiguan looks like, but from what we can glean, it has been thoroughly tweaked and appears larger and more rounded (instead of boxy) than the model it replaces.
VW says it will be the first vehicle in its class to come with the optional HD matrix headlights that can be seen peeking through the heavy camo.
Like current VW products, the new Tiguan has an LED light strip connecting the headlights.
As far as size goes, the standard model has been stretched by 32 mm to 4,551 mm, and its height has been increased by 5 mm to 1,640 mm while the width and wheelbase remain the same at 1,939 mm and 2,681 mm in that order. The increased dimensions further allowed VW to expand the boot space by 33 litres to 648 litres.
As for the larger Allspace, VW is tightlipped regarding the 7-seater. A report from Germany states that it could be replaced by a more spacious model that carries the Tayron nameplate.
Overhauled Interior
Volkswagen has shared images of the interior, which has gone through a major overhaul, thanks to a newly-developed cockpit plus a new infotainment system comprising a 15″” touchscreen. A digital instrument cluster has been thrown into the mix.
The centre console is home to the Driving Experience Control with its mini-screen, which can control drive modes, volume and ambient lighting colours. The Wolfsburg-based marque says the interior now features high-quality materials, newly developed seats and effective noise insulation for enhanced value and comfort.
Electrification Takes Its Course
As mentioned earlier, the Volkswagen Tiguan will spawn a range of electrified powerplants in the form of eTSI (mild-hybrid turbo-petrol) and eHybrid (plug-in hybrid) alongside regular TDI and TSI engines. The eHybrid’s EV drive is rated at 100 km and will allow DC charging for the first time as standard.
The MQB Evo has a new generation of optional adaptive suspension control for enhanced comfort on and off the road.
Regarding the transmission, the Tiguan will be offered strictly with a DSG gearbox like the ID. models, and gone is the regular gear shift lever. It has now been replaced by a steering column switch on the right of the steering wheel.
Could this signal the end of the road for the manual transmission? As hard a pill as that is to swallow, VW announced in 2021 that all its new models introduced after 2023 would no longer feature a manual transmission.
Coming Soon
The new Tiguan is scheduled to be revealed before the end of the year, and we anticipate it to launch locally sometime in 2024. The current generation model has always been a stellar product offering with agile handling, a host of tech and sleek styling, and a range of amazing engine options.
Despite its heavy disguise, the new model is expected to exceed the outgoing one in terms of value and technology. We just hope that distinct Tiguan character remains.
