MT drives the VW Tiguan early
As of right now, VW has a very incomplete US lineup that consists of a bunch of Jetta-sized models, the midsize Passat and the big and heavy Toureg. Volkswagen is trying to rectify that situation with the forthcoming Tiguan, which in concept form is a CRV-fighting crossover with some panache.
Motor Trend was lucky enough to get to try out an early edition of the Tiguan in far off Namibia in Southwest Africa, and they came away impressed. All four vehicles tested came equipped with the European market 1.4-liter Twincharger engine (supercharger and turbocharger) packing 150 HP and 177 lb.-ft. of torque, and a Haldex AWD system. VW must be serious about the Tiguan's off-road prowess, considering the dusty conditions used for testing and the special "Track and Field" edition models with a 28-degree approach angle. Initially, Tiguan buyers will be able to choose either a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission, but expect the latter to be replaced by VW's DSG within a year.
[Source: Motor Trend via The VW Gazette]
American consumers won't get the 30 MPG combined Twincharger engine or the "Track and Field" package, but we will get VW's excellent turbocharged 2.0L engine and a "Sport and Style" edition without the off-road pretensions. VW is hoping to sell 40,000 copies of the Tiguan per year in the US, and sales are slated to begin next summer. We Yanks are used to being left out in the cold when it comes to new and exciting fuel efficient powertrains (save for some hybrids), but when we start getting the shaft on off-road packages, we take notice. It's not that many of us actually let our vehicles hit the dirt, but we just like knowing we can when the need arises.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
PuffyC 1:45PM (6/05/2007)
The name alone will probably costs them 1000's of sales. You'd have thought they would learn something after the Toureg disaster but I guess not. BMW never learned after countless Bangle related trainwrecks so why should VW be any different.
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fatty 1:57PM (6/05/2007)
funny, i will be buying this because of the name.
Jason 3:47PM (6/05/2007)
Weren't we told by Autoblog a few months back this vehicle was on hold or canceled? Now they talk like it was never said. I guess we are fools or I am losing my mind.
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Yago bal 5:29PM (6/05/2007)
What was said was that this car was put on hold to be slightly redesigned by Walter de'Silva's team. It wasn't an earthquake...
brmacrae 1:56PM (6/05/2007)
Nice lines, definitely has the VW face on it (under the cloaking). Interior looks nice & quality finished, as with other current VW products...
With the 2.0 Turbo (mod-friendly, lots of potential)
AWD
6-speed Stick
Mid-to-upper 20mpg
and $25,000 starting price..........
Sign me up! :)
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RockStoneSteel 2:14PM (6/05/2007)
The early prototype looked fantastic, but the photo in this article looks a bit stretched and reminiscent of the Chevy Equinox. Yikes, hope they don't morph it into a station wagon with 3rd row seating. Otherwise, this VW could be a great vehicle. The new Honda CRV did it right by maintaining it's SUV proportions, but it is a bit underpowered.
I think the Autoblog author is incorrect when assuming that Americans will mind terribly if we miss out on extensive off-road prowess. I do want some 4wd capability in snowy or wet conditions and for places like gravel forest service roads. However, the other 95% of the time, it must have decent fuel mileage. If VW puts a 2.0 liter turbo diesel in this vehicle, it should provide adequate power as well as fuel economy. Unfortunately, the article fails to state whether the 2.0 liter destined for the U.S. is gas or diesel.
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TDI4Evr 7:31PM (11/27/2007)
I read the Motor Trend write-up and that said that the 2.0 litre Bluetec diesel will be one of the available engines here in the States.
JC3 2:08PM (6/05/2007)
Is that named after a Tiguana? When you go on vacation tell your kids not to wander too far off,or they could get eaten by a tiguana.
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Dave T. 2:11PM (6/05/2007)
offroad means nothing to american compact SUV shoppers. for the most part. If it does they go all out for an FJ or Wrangler.
Anyway, more interesting is the "journalism" angle. They're seriously covering a pre-production, test car. So much changes from this stage to what winds up rolling off the assembly line it's not even funny. We're going to see a new type of embargo war going on now, who can get into pre-production test mules first!!! yippee!!!!
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Big Mike Wood 2:15PM (6/05/2007)
Kinda reminds me of the old Saturn Vue and the new Santa Fe, but then after you've seen 8000 variations of the same old small/midsize SUV they all start running together. Of course, with VW's notorious quality problems you'd have to be a real daredevil to buy a 1st year VW anything. Or a 4th year VW anything for that matter...
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Kumar 3:21PM (6/05/2007)
People must be adapting to gas prices. None of the first 5 posts whined about lack of horsepower, translating to a possible understanding that more hp usually means far less mpg.
It would be nice to get a shot at buying a v dub stateside with a turbo and super charger though. If the awd is sweet enough, it may keep me from subie for my next ride...
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Guenther 2:28PM (6/05/2007)
This thing had one promise, and it sounds like they blew that. Without a diesel, who wants a wannabe SUV from someone who doesn't know the segment??? what a complete waste of time.
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Gavin S. 2:36PM (6/05/2007)
You should not use the word "packing" to describe 150 HP.
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mr.ed 2:42PM (6/05/2007)
Adding the usual cash payoff to this "scoop" should make this car of the year at MT.
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Christopher Watts 2:50PM (6/05/2007)
Agreed! But at least it gives BMW and Porsche's accounting offices some well deserved 'time-off' from writting so many checks. Those folks could use a well-earned vacation at this point.
Steve C 2:46PM (6/05/2007)
Another derivative of the current crop of mid-sized utes. Could be easily mistaken for any one of 3 or 4 others in a parking lot.
Since the Touareg has been a bit of a disappointment, VW shouldn't bet the ranch on this one.
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Peter 3:09PM (6/05/2007)
Doesn't anyone read the article before complaining about the lack of Diesel?
"With modest sales expectations, a completely competent package, not to mention a 2.0-liter Bluetec diesel slated for the end of '08, the Tiguan should have little struggle experiencing success in America."
I may be interested in the Diesel model. It is the only reason I would look at any VW. But I think I would rather just have the 2.0TDI in the Rabbit. More performance and fuel economy for less cash.
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REALITY CHECK 3:12PM (6/05/2007)
Why are you showing pictures of a Chevy Equinox, oops my bad. I just hope it can stay out of the shop, my last VW 4x4 loved going back to the dealer for weekly visits.
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Matt 11:23AM (6/07/2007)
My only complaint is that VW/AUDI is so far behind the curve in the SUV and Cross-Over segments..
I had to buy an ML350 because VAG didn't offer anything comparable in the US. The Q7 is too big and the Cayenne/Touareg is also too big and heavy. The BMW X5 is a terrible ergonomic mess and the X3 is on the more petite side. The ML is just the right size to be used as a daily driver and a weekend traveller.
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Jason 11:25PM (6/05/2007)
And I take it this is the de Silva re-do?