The 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan will be on Indian roads by May 2017
The company has just, earlier this week, confirmed that production of the ‘compact crossover vehicle’ has commenced at its Chakan plant in Maharashtra.
The Tiguan will be part of the new product line-up for the year. The road map includes the roll-out of the new Passat too later this year.
The second-generation Tiguan will be assembled from CKD (completely knocked down) kits and is expected to be fairly aggressively priced. The Tiguan shares its platform with many Volkswagen group cars including the Audi Q3. It is built on the versatile MQB (modular transverse matrix) platform.
The design of the Tiguan is classic VW, though it is undeniable that the side profile is a mix of other group vehicles. The front features the redefined Volkswagen design lines with the parallel bonnet grille slats extending visually into the headlamps. The Tiguan’s proportions and stance on the road are classic sports utility vehicle style, though the company calls it a crossover in some markets. An upright stance, prominent wheel arches and contrast sill elements make it look quite distinctive and of course, very much like a burly SUV.
The cabin itself is designed to give off a sedan-like look and feel, with all the controls within reach of the driver. However, the dashboard with its tall centre stack and the high set aircon vents are very SUV-like. Excellent finish quality and refined materials are likely to be standard, though an all-black interior may not be the most preferred by buyers in this segment. Volkswagen’s interiors are usually very well-made, but sometimes lack a bit of oomph that buyers in the segment expect.
However, the Tiguan will not be found wanting in the boot space department with as much as an estimated 615 litres of luggage room. The boot space can be extended to 1,655 litres by folding the seats. This VW may also be offered with the active info display that is available in the Tiguan in some of the markets.
It has a customisable 12.3-inch high-definition digital display behind the steering wheel. Internationally, the second-gen Tiguan is offered with seven airbags, multi-collision brakes and other safety and convenience features like driver fatigue detection, parking assist, lane assist, electronic stability programme, adaptive cruise control and an extended electronic differential lock. It is not clear yet as to what safety features will be offered in the India-spec Tiguan.
But we hope that the really cool easy open and easy close tailgate feature will be offered here. When it is locked, just wave a foot under the rear of the car and the tail gate opens, stepping away from the car will lead to the tailgate locking up.
The Tiguan is likely to be offered in two trim options. The powertrain option though will be only one – just the TDI paired with the 7-speed DSG gearbox. We would say that is a good enough choice given the Indian market’s preference for diesel engines.
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