Back at the Auto Expo Volkswagen teased four SUVs for India and after the Tiguan Allspace, T-Roc and Taigun, the wraps are now off the fourth SUV — the 5-seater Volkswagen Tiguan that gets the 2-litre TSI petrol engine. Replacing the 141bhp 2-litre TDI, the turbo-petrol motor makes 187bhp, 320Nm and is mated to the 7-speed DSG along with 4-Motion all-wheel-drive. Six airbags are standard as is ESP, hill-hold assist, Isofix mountings, TPMS and driver alert warning system.
In terms of styling, the Tiguan now wears the facelift that was applied to VW’s best-seller last year and that includes the a new design for the 18-inch alloys along with IQ LED lights that includes bending, cornering and off-road lights. Not much has changed at the rear save for new LED lighting graphics in the taillamps and re-profiled bumper. Like the Allspace, the Tiguan also gets the kick-to-open functionality for the remote tailgate.
On the inside the Tiguan gets the 10-inch digital cockpit, a new design for the steering wheel with VW’s new logo sitting proud on the boss, USB-C ports and new touch-sensitive controls for the air-con that replaces the old rotary dials. There’s also a new design for the gear lever while the panoramic sunroof and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment continues unchanged albeit with new App Connect connectivity features.
The Tiguan will be the first VW in India to sport the brand’s new logo and it will hit showrooms before the Taigun, so expect it around June. The 5-seater Tiguan will be assembled in India and will be sold alongside the 7-seater Tiguan Allspace that will continue to be imported as a CBU.
Expect the Tiguan to be priced at Rs 28 lakh, undercutting the Allspace by Rs 5 lakh and taking on the similarly-sized Hyundai Tucson, slightly-smaller Jeep Compass and the upcoming (slightly-bigger) Skoda Kodiaq that will also get the 2-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine very soon.