Volkswagen Tiguan diesel launch delayed in the U.S.?
All-time high gas prices have made Americans intensify their searches for top-shelf fuel economy, as evidenced by 15-year-old Geo Metros selling on eBay for $7,200. Apparently even capitalistic insanity isn't enough to convince Volkswagen to bring a diesel engine Stateside in the hotly anticipated Tiguan, as the ultra-efficient 2.0L oil-burner likely won't be available for MY 2009.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that the Tiguan is selling extremely well in Europe, which negates the need to rush additional models to the US, where a weak dollar is cutting into the German automaker's profits. VW is also trying to keep the price down on the new crossover, and diesel engines add thousands to the sticker. We wouldn't be surprised if the constant delays surrounding the 2.0L TDI have anything to do with the decision, either.
If a price war can break out on eBay in an effort to buy a turquoise 49 hp deathtrap, we're more than certain that Americans are willing to shell out $30k for an efficient CUV. Without a diesel powerplant, however, the Tiguan is just one more of the many mediocre-mileage tall wagons from which to choose.
[Source: Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
why not the LS2LS7? 1:41PM (5/17/2008)
"turquoise 45HP deathtrap"
That's funny and all, but you're perpetuating the stupid myth that SUVs (in this case CUVs) are safer.
VW could just ship this car with an economical 2.0T gas setup here in the US means an econo-Diesel isn't much cheaper to run than a regular gas variant, an econo-gas variant would probably be the same cost to run and cheaper to buy.
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Mark 2:22PM (5/17/2008)
He wasn't insinuating anything. He said that if people are willing to spend $7+ grand on an unsafe econobox for the sake of good gas mileage, then people should be willing to spend more than $30,000 for a diesel CUV. You're putting words in his mouth.
why not the LS2LS7? 3:28PM (5/17/2008)
You also.
You assume this is safer than a econobox.
It isn't necessarily so.
Will 5:36PM (5/17/2008)
I don't know, I agree about SUVs not necessarily being safer, but I saw a link to 1993 Metro and I focused on the "1993" and the fact that it was a cheaply built car, not a small car. SUV myths aside, you must agree that in 1993, a Metro was not exactly a showcase for either active or passive safety features.
Big Jim Slade 8:54PM (5/17/2008)
Just what safety features does a 15 year-old Metro have that are comparable to a Tiguan???
I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest the VW would do better in today's crash tests than the little turquoise econobox we speak of...
why not the LS2LS7? 9:55PM (5/17/2008)
The biggest safety feature it has is it isn't a high CG SUV. It's less likely to roll over, but beyond that, its biggest feature is that it is maneuverable and has good visibility.
It will perform far better on safety when it doesn't get in a wreck than any SUV does in a wreck.
Chris 11:50AM (5/18/2008)
You need to take a basic physics class. 4000lb CUV with all the modern safety features >>>>>>>>> 2000lb subcompact with zero safety features, rollover or not.
Dan 2:54AM (5/18/2008)
Actually, light weight stubby minicars like the Metro are less stable than most CUVs and even some body on frame SUVs. Google 'Kimmel Rollover Index'.
Jorge 6:07AM (5/18/2008)
i don't know about VW whether it is safe but the Geo Metro is horribly built and it is going to be bad no matter what the car hit or get hit by even a light post can do serious damage to the car and the people inside.
Mark 1:28PM (5/18/2008)
Once again, putting words into my mouth. I assume nothing about the safety of the Tiguan. I was merely saying the author was making a comparison on the basis of cost and made no assumptions whatsoever with the overall safety of the Volkswagen. The subject of the comparison was the consumer's ability to reconcile paying exorbitant sums of money for a fuel efficient vehicle, whether it be $7,000 for an unsafe vehicle, or $30,000 for a diesel CUV. The comment about the Metro being unsafe was merely an ancillary detail.
why not the LS2LS7? 12:56PM (5/18/2008)
You can't call a car a deathtrap and then say "I didn't mean to imply the car was unsafe".
Chris:
First of all, you are using simple physics to deal with a complex problem. This was the same idiocy that made people think body on frame SUVs should be safe. They're the heaviest of all, right? Second of all, it is morally bankrupt to buy a car as a kinetic energy weapon. We all matter, not just those who can afford to buy more gas.
If a spindly F1 or Indy car can run in to a wall at 130mph and the driver walks away, there is no way to say that you must have an SUV/CUV to be safe on the street at 70.
And the whole idea of a 90s car being a deathtrap implies that the dark ages somehow just ended. Folks, we already had plenty of safety regulations in the 90s, Ralph Nader had already done his bit 20 years before.
JF 1:49PM (5/17/2008)
As long as I can get a jetta sportwagen with a tdi, that takes care of my efficient people moving transportation.
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Caroftheday.org 12:32AM (5/18/2008)
The TDI VWs are great efficient options. I'm looking forward to a little more sporty flavor of these cars.
http://www.caroftheday.org
VK 1:55PM (5/17/2008)
I went and saw the Tiguan at a nearby VW dealership yesterday. Very impressing vehicle for its segment. I really want that as my first car, hopefullly sometime soon! It would be nice to get the diesel here as soon as possible
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TriShield 2:40PM (5/17/2008)
You can buy plenty of gasoline for the premium charged on diesel powertrains, not to mention diesel costs more than premium unleaded right now. Where's the monetary savings again?
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zamafir 2:49PM (5/17/2008)
There's not a huge one at current, and that's the problem. Diesel's have the lion's share of the luxury market in Europe because they provide a decent benefit in terms of cost AND performance. Here, american's don't care so long as diesel is so expensive, conveniently attempting to make diesel vehicles seem less appealing and stick it to contractors/construction workers/you name it.
Oddly, though, I'm surprised they're not talking about the big reason why the diesel tiggy isn't here, it's not the exact same setup as the jetta and would require running the whole emissions gauntlet due to the whole piss injection... well that and most american's aren't going to spend 35k on a CUV with a VW badge.
If it ever does launch here, and it's got a snow balls chance in hell right now, at least it'll be post 08 when all the VW's (save t-reg and bug) get bluetooth standard across every range.
mr groove 8:04PM (5/17/2008)
There's no equity in burned fuel.
nagmashot 2:53PM (5/17/2008)
the Tiguan has hit the market like a bomb... in Germany it is from selling start the best selling compact SUV... in April 2008 VW sold more Tiguan in Germany as Toyota sold their most sold vehicle in Germany the Yaris.
After 2 months on sale the waitinglist reached already 11months.. VW is completely overwhelmed by the Tiguan sales success... at the moment they work at the Tiguan production plant to increase production as fast as possible. Which isn´t that easy because every model they sell skyrocket in sale numbers..
Golf +40%
Passat +8%
Multivan +23.2%
Eos +38.7%
they sold April 2008 in Germany 25.2% more as April 2007
They would be stupid to sell the cars for half the price in the USA if they can get twice the money in Europe...
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James 3:04PM (5/17/2008)
38.7% increase in Eos sales?
Wow, the Eos models on the lot nearest to me have been there long enough to be fossils. I really hope VW can find that kind of success in the US.
Also those Golf numbers are QUITE impressive considering the current generation model has already been on sale in Europe for quite a few years.
Too bad about the Tiguan in the States. It actually is a really nice looking model. I'm the last person to want to buy into this CUV craze, but I've got to admit even I'd buy one.
nagmashot 3:23PM (5/17/2008)
The German car market is carzy at the moment... the fuel is expansive as never befor.. yesterday regular petrol jumped over the $ 9.0 US gallon mark (1.58Euro/liter) and the sale numbers in April 2008 jumped by 20% for the whole market compared to 2007.
VW isn´t even the biggest winner (sure they are by far the biggest player on the German market ahead Mercedes) ..
Ford made a overall plus in Germany of + 42.1%
Focus +13.5%
Mondeo +197.6%..197.6%is corrcect!!!
Fiesta +47.5%
C-Max +37.0
Opel (GM) overall +25.5%
Mazda overall +25.9%
in contrast on such a fast growing market
Toyota/Lexus -16.9%
Chrysler (Jeep/Dodge) -22.1%
Alfa Romeo -56.2%
the reason why not many euro models find their way to the US.. no matter if US customer ask for Euro model GM Ford or europen producer cars..