Autoblog

More details on three-row Volkswagen Tiguan for U.S.

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen

When Volkswagen opened its new Chattanooga factory, there were lots of questions about what else it was going to build there, since Passat volume wouldn't come close to soaking up the facility's 150,000-unit capacity. A three-row crossover was often mentioned as another model, with Automobile reporting that a possible 180,000-unit expansion could lead to Porsche, Audi and VW CUVs being built there.

Now Car and Driver reports that a three-row Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer fighter will be built, and it will "almost definitely" be assembled in Tennessee or Mexico. It might use the Passat's platform, the rumored engine is VW's 3.6-liter V6, and its MSRP is expected to strongly challenge those of its competitors (in the manner of the Jetta and Passat's newly competitive price strategies).

The same report claims that VW is working on a Tiguan more suited to American tastes, which probably means turning it into something more like a Jetta crossover than a Golf CUV. Last year, there were several reports that Volkswagen was considering moving both Golf and Tiguan production to North America, and a Stateside-leaning Tiguan might mean now is the right time to do so.

More details on three-row Volkswagen Tiguan for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen mulling North American production of Golf, won't be Jetta-fied

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Hatchback, Volkswagen

According to a senior source inside Volkswagen of America, the German automaking giant is considering bringing production of the next generation Golf to North America. But why? And where?

The reason behind the potential move is obvious: Shifting some of the assembly from Wolfsburg, Germany to North America has the potential to save hundreds of millions of dollars over the lifetime of the next Golf. The budget-minded hatch is due for a major overhaul in the next few years, and lining up another NA-based production center would go a long way towards bringing VW's production capacity up to achieve its goal of selling 15 million vehicles worldwide by 2018.

With its Puebla, Mexico facility building the new Jetta and ramping up production of the new Beetle, its output could be tapped out if the reborn Bug proves to be a sales success in the States. And VW probably won't expand its Mexican production operations, leaving its new Chattanooga, Tennessee plant, which is currently producing the Passat.

The facility in Tennessee is presently capable of producing 150,000 vehicles per year, but as VW officials have previously confirmed, there's plenty of potential to expand the plant. And we're sure Tennessee would welcome the extra investment.

One thing that won't happen - we've been assured - is a diluted and cut-price NA-specific Golf to compete on the low-end of the segment - even if production shifts to this side of the planet.
Regardless of where it's built, the next Golf will be a global model, unlike the current Jetta.

Volkswagen mulling North American production of Golf, won't be Jetta-fied originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen makes more minor updates to 2011 Tiguan

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Tiguan - Click above for high-res image gallery

European market Volkswagen Tiguans will be getting some minor powertrain updates starting next month. Apparently the changes extend past the styling updates we saw last month in Beijing. Both of the new powertrain options get the Bluemotion technology treatment to cut fuel consumption.

A 110 horsepower version of the 2.0-liter TDI inline-four diesel is now available at a lower price than the previous diesel. For those that prefer a gas engine, a 121 hp 1.4-liter TSI (turbo direct injection) is also offered. Both engines are paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission. The updated Tiguans also get keyless access and push-button starting, which (sadly) are likely to be the only changes that will make it to the U.S.

Gallery: Beijing 2010: 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen makes more minor updates to 2011 Tiguan

Volkswagen makes more minor updates to 2011 Tiguan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW's Winterkorn reportedly proposes a trio of new Porsches

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Porsche

2010 Porsche Panamera - Click above for a high-res image gallery

VW CEO Martin Winterkorn appears to be laying out a future for Porsche that could make the company happier, but might not please its core customers... again. Of course, the impetus is to increase volume. Porsche sold nearly 100,000 vehicles in its last fiscal year -- but won't get anywhere close to that this fiscal year -- but Winterkorn wants the Stuttgart sports car manufacturer to put out 150,000 units annually by 2013.

More volume means selling more of what they've got, or making something new to sell. The new proposed direction is the latter: three new models, two of which would be lower-cost numbers-makers. There were no details given beyond market placement, but the first car would slot in below the Boxster. If you have images of a 914 sputtering through your head, banish the thought -- Winterkorn promises that VW will not make Porsches.

The second car has been referred to as a "baby brother" for the Cayenne, or a Porsche version of VW's Tiguan. That could be the mini-ute that Porsche and Audi have spent the past few years denying its existence. At the top is another version of the Panamera, maybe one with the same stellar interior and driving abilities but with a stellar back end to match. No matter what they end up looking like, the real point is that you'll be seeing a lot more Porsches on the roads soon.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche Panamera

[Source: AutoBild (translated) via German Car Blog]

VW's Winterkorn reportedly proposes a trio of new Porsches originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: VW Tiguan Performance Concept rocks the house CUV

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Crossover, Volkswagen

Click above for high-res gallery of the VW Tiguan Performance Concept

The Volkswagen Tiguan, already a hot little CUV, added some bodywork and an APR turbo to go with its Super CC and Jetta TDI Cup Edition Street Concept show car siblings, and then threw in a Rockford Fosgate system to raise the bar further. The little big guy wears fender flares connected by side steps and contrasting rocker panels. Inside is a two-tone leather job with some very attractive speaker enclosures in the doors. Under the hood goes APR's 3-stage turbo to boost output to 295 hp and 300 lb-ft. And out back: a 1,400-watt Rockford Fosgate system with dual 10-inchers taking up the rear floor. And as we learned at the press conference, you can play a guitar through the amp. Of course, you can't store anything back there, but this is SEMA, not a PTA meeting. Read all about it in the press release after the jump, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: VW Tiguan Performance Concept

Continue reading SEMA 2008: VW Tiguan Performance Concept rocks the ~~house~~ CUV

SEMA 2008: VW Tiguan Performance Concept rocks the ~~house~~ CUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan S

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Crossover, Volkswagen

2009 VW Tiguan S - Click above for high-res image gallery

Over the past decade, virtually every automaker in the world has first introduced an SUV (or two) and more recently a crossover utility vehicle (or two) in an attempt to address every possible market niche. Volkswagen is no exception, although the German brand was a relative latecomer to the party. Its first attempt, the mid-sized but decidedly heavy-weight Touareg was the first entry, and earlier this year VW added a second smaller CUV called the Tiguan. Unlike the Touareg, which was built on an all-new platform shared and co-developed with Porsche, the Tiguan is more closely related to VW's mainstream car models.

When the Tiguan was introduced in Europe at last years Frankfurt Motor Show, VW made a big deal of the fact that it was the only CUV in the world powered exclusively by "charged" engines. Technically this is not true, as the Acura RDX currently has only one powertrain available, a 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder. Nonetheless, all five of the engines available in the European Tiguan have either turbocharging or both a turbo and supercharging. While Europeans get a choice of four-cylinder engines running on gas or diesel, buyers here in the U.S. are stuck with only the most powerful gas engine, a 200-hp turbocharged and direct-injected unit. Find out what it's like to live with VW's new compact soft-roader after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan S

Continue reading Review: 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan S

Review: 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan S originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen recalls 2009 Tiguan, 2008 Passat and Wagon for "Engine Surge"

Chris Shunk — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Crossover, Volkswagen

Click above for high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen is recalling 4,000 2008 Passats and 2009 Tiguans for an "engine surging" issue. The problem is an engine control module that may not control engine idle when the air conditioning is turned on. In rare cases, the ECM can trigger an unexpected jump in engine RPM, which could obviously lead to an accident. NHTSA has informed VW that since the recall is a safety concern, dealers cannot sell the vehicles until the problem has been fixed. Owners of potentially affected vehicles are being told not to operate the air conditioning until a VW dealer has serviced the ECM, which is less than terrific news considering it's June and temperatures are around 90 degrees in many parts of the country. While it's disheartening that the brand new Tiguan is already getting its first recall, at least the problem was discovered early and there's a fix readily available.

Gallery: 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan

[Source: Inside Line]

Volkswagen recalls 2009 Tiguan, 2008 Passat and Wagon for "Engine Surge" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Tiguan buyers get a Golf... temporarily

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, Volkswagen

Click the image above for a gallery of live shots of the Volkswagen Tiguan

In a rather odd yet intriguing move, Volkswagen in Germany is handing out a new fifth-generation Golf to anyone who orders a Tiguan. The customer will keep the Golf until their new Tiguan utility vehicle is available, which, at current rates, will not be until next January at the earliest. In an effort to cover the cost of giving away a new car and getting it back used, VW will be providing its dealers with a one-time payment of €1,000 for each Tiguan sold. Unfortunately for the affected dealers, that won't be enough to recoup the lost value of the Golf, but it shows how eager VW is to sell its new small-ute in the face of similar new models coming from its key competition, namely the Mercedes-Benz GLK.

We've previously reported that the Tiguan will start at $22,490, which equals $23,840 after the expensive shipping cost is tacked on. After AWD is added, though, the price climbs to $29,515. Considering that seemingly lofty price point, Volkswagen isn't expecting to face such sales shortages in the U.S. where it is marketing its lil' ute as the GTI of CUV's.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req'd]

VW Tiguan buyers get a Golf... temporarily originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 May 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roundup: Abt Sportsline at the Essen Motor Show

Alex Nunez — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 18:51:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, SUV, Europe, Supercars, Audi, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for a gallery of Abt's Essen roster

German tuning house Abt Sportsline brought everything and the kitchen sink to the Essen Motor Show, and rather than present it piecemeal, we figured we'd put the whole megillah out for you in one shot. From A4 to Touareg, the latest hardware from VW and Audi has been worked over with appearance and suspension mods. Most boast notable power upgrades as well. Yes, we'll even revisit the (unfortunately) red-and-green-trimmed Abt R8, which we first talked about last week. If you're looking for a Christmas-themed supercar, or if you're a really nostalgic New Jersey Devils fan, it might just fit the bill.

Follow the jump for the rundown on all things Abt at Essen.

[Source: Abt Sportsline]

Gallery: Abt Sportsline: Essen 2007 Lineup

Continue reading Roundup: Abt Sportsline at the Essen Motor Show

Roundup: Abt Sportsline at the Essen Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Dec 2007 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Creating the Tiguan with clay and a chisel

Chris Shunk — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Videos, Crossover, Volkswagen

The Volkswagen Tiguan is VW's next best hope to bring volume to the US market, and the German automaker is pulling out all the stops. First, VW priced it at $22,000, which is a welcome change from the excessive bounties needed to secure many other Volkswagens. VW also intends to parther the 2.0T base car with a 40 mpg diesel model. Sure, so it has a ridiculous and forgettable name, but it looks pretty good, and the interior is terrific.

The video posted after the jump shows how the small CUV was designed with clay, hand tools, and a crazy-looking automated mill that looks like some kind of James Bond torture device. Hit the jump to view it. It's pretty interesting to see these craftsmen applying their trade using some of the most basic tools to create something so complex.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Creating the Tiguan with clay and a chisel

VIDEO: Creating the Tiguan with clay and a chisel originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: Volkswagen's production Tiguan graces the stage

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Crossover, Volkswagen

Click the image above for a gallery of live shots of the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Lost in the fray surrounding the reveal of the Up!, Volkswagen's entrant into the cute 'ute segment officially debuted in production guise in Frankfurt. The Tiguan, which will go on sale early next year, will initially be equipped with either a 140 HP two-liter TDI or a 150 HP 1.4-liter TSI, with larger engines to follow. There will be three models available -- S, SE and Sport - all of which will offer 4MOTION all-wheel-drive.

V-Dub is quick to point out that the Tiguan should be able to hold its own both on-road and off, citing an 18-degree angle of approach on standard models, or an optional front-end that allows for 28-degrees of cambered madness. Along with the additional off-road competence, buyers opting for the heavier-duty package get underbody cladding, a radiator protector, hill descent control and a compass.

Volkswagen's full press release can be viewed after the jump, and we've got a full gallery of live shots below for your viewing pleasure.

Gallery: 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: Volkswagen's production Tiguan graces the stage

Frankfurt 2007: Volkswagen's production Tiguan graces the stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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