VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN GETS A NEW TOUAREG LOOK

At last the Volkswagen Tiguan gets some action of its own, as VW SA introduces the facelift version sporting the company’s new front end. Easiest to spot is the front grille with two double chrome louvres, bi-xenon headlights and the LED daytime running lights were applicable.

Two slightly different body styles are being sold. The one has an 18 degree approach angle, while the other is a 28 degree version. The former is the baseline model design to be an urban sprawler, while the other can do some off-roading. Both however, are exactly the same size, except for the length, with the off-road model being 3cm longer. The rest of the dimensions – width, height and wheelbase – are identical.

Three models, Trend & Fun, Sport & Style as well as Track & Field can be purchased. The first two are more on-road, while the Track & Field is geared towards fun outside the tarmac. Among others it features underbody protection and VW’s 4Motion permanent all-wheel-drive (AWD). This is a new version of 4Motion which can send up to 100% of torque to the rear wheels under extreme conditions.

We can see Touareg on the rear lights which are L-shaped and feature a two-part series look. All the cars have a 25 degree departure angle and a 20cm ground clearance. Tiguan achieved a 5-star EuroNCAP rating at its last evaluation, and this facelift is no different, thanks to things like six airbags, ESP and Isofix fitting points.

There are interior differences too, and depending on the model, customers will get features such as rain sensors, cruise control, an electronic parking brake, Hill Climb Assist, electric windows and a new fabric design for the non-leather seats.

So far as engines are concerned, not much has changed. The 1.4-litre TSI with both turbo and supercharger delivers either 90kW or 118kW, as well as 200Nm and 240Nm respectively. The 2.0-litre TDI gives off either 81kW and 280Nm, or 103kW and 320Nm. Top of the pops is the 155kW 2.0-litre TSI, the same one used by Golf GTI. All these cars are mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG.

Volkswagen Tiguan Pricing

1.4 TSI 90kW 4x2 Trend & Fun with BlueMotion Technology (R272 600)
2.0 TDI 81kW 4x2 Trend & Fun with BlueMotion Technology (R289 100)
1.4 TSI 118kW 4x2 Trend & Fun with BlueMotion Technology (R299 500)
1.4 TSI 118kW 4MOTION Trend & Fun (R318 200)
2.0 TDI 103kW 4MOTION Track & Field DSG (R383 400)
2.0 TDI 103kW 4MOTION Sport & Style DSG (R390 400)
2.0 TSI 155kW 4MOTION Sport & Style DSG (R413 800)