Volkswagen have recently made available via press release images and specs for their upcoming Tiguan compact SUV. The Tiguan will rub shoulders with the likes of BMW’s X3 and Range Rovers Freelander, neither of which are considered category killers so we expect the Tiguan will prove to be a formidable opponent.
VW are pitching their Tiguan as a technological tour de force and reading the spec sheet one would have to agree. So here is a brief rundown on what we can expect when the VW Tiguan goes on sale in Australia in early 2008.
Based on a modified version of the current VW Golf’s platform the Tiguan will feature VW’s 4MOTION permanent AWD set-up and feature the following standard and optional features
• on-road and off-road mode
• hill descent control system (off-road mode)
• loose-surface ABS mode (off-road mode)
• hill climb assist (off-road mode)
• gear preselect – automatic versions (off-road mode)
• automatic differential locks (off-road mode)
• specific throttle and gearbox settings (off-road mode)
• high spec models feature sat-nav / GPS system
• high spec models feature rear-facing camera for reversing
• optional ‘Park Assist’
The last feature is perhaps the most interesting if a little gimmicky. The Tiguan can be optioned with a ‘Park Assist’ function. If deployed it has the ability to steer itself into a park for you. This is about the only skill required in Australia to get a license and now even that is being taken away from us!
The dual mode ability of the VW Tiguan is what will set it apart from the opposition. Selecting ‘off-road’ mode reprograms throttle control and gearbox settings and brings into play the various driver assist programs mentioned above.
Being based on the Golf the Tiguan logically makes use of the engines available in the Golf range. In Europe at least you can expect to choose from three force fed 4-cylinder TSI petrol engines delivering 110kW/125kW or 147kW and two 4- cylinder TDI turbo-charged Diesel engines of 103kW and 125kW. Transmission are likely to include automatic, manual and CVT options.
The VW Tiguan will come with a choice of front-ends, one for the school mum and the other for the more serious off-roader. The off-road front end features a 10 degree greater approach angle.
We will provide more detail when Australian spec information becomes available but for now it looks like the compact SUV segment is set for a shake-up.
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At http://www.tiguan.com you can follow the development of the Tiguan from show car to production vehicle at the so-called Tiguan Base. One special highlight will come by the end of June, three months before the official world premiere of the Tiguan at the Frankfurt Motor Show, when the production model is revealed exclusively to Tiguan Base users. Not bad, check it out.
If they want to compete with BMW X3 than VW Tiguan should be offered with the excellent VW / Audi V6 3.0 litre Turbo Diesel engine already available in Audi A4, A6, Q7 and Touareg.
I think that 2.0 litre TD engine will struggle with the weight of this SUV.
The BMW X3 3.0 TD accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds !
This is a better than VW Golf GTI with DSG.
Jerremy Frank
Sydney, Australia
The VW Tiguan 2.0 TD “Bluetec”engine has 125 KW and 350 Nm@2000 rpm and is direct competitor to BMW X3, 2.0 Turbo Diesel who will be available from September in Australia for approx $65.000
The Tiguan is lighter AWD than BMW X3 and should have at least the 200 kilograms less.
This is VW reply in regards to my enquiry about availability of Volkswagen/Audi 3.0 L , V6 Turbo Diesel engine .
Volkswagen TIGUAN 3.0 V6 Turbo diesel
VW-2007/08-066206
Dear Mr Frank,
Thank you for your e-mail and your interest in Volkswagen. At present, a 3.0 TDI engine is not planned for the Tiguan. For any manufacturer of vehicles it is impossible to build perfect cars just by relating to his own ideas and creativity.
That is why we are very happy and grateful for your proposal. Any kind offeedback for us is an indication of whether we are heading for the right direction ornot. We always appreciate customers to tell us their experience, wishes orsuggestions and will consider your proposal in the improvement of our vehicles.
If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate tocontact us again.
Yours sincerely,
Volkswagen Customer Service
VOLKSWAGEN AGSitz/Domicile: WolfsburgRegistergericht/Court of Registry: Amtsgericht BraunschweigHRB Nr./. Commercial Register No.: 100484Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats/Chairman of the Supervisory Board: FerdinandPiëchVorstand/Board of Management: Martin Winterkorn (Vorsitzender/Chairman),Francisco J. Garcia Sanz, Jochem Heizmann, Horst Neumann, Hans DieterPoetsch Wichtiger Hinweis: Die vorgenannten Angaben werden jeder E-Mail automatischhinzugefuegt und lassen keine Rueckschluesse auf den Rechtscharakter der E-Mail zu.
Important Notice: The above information is automatically added to this e-mail. Thisaddition does not constitute a representation that the content of this e-mail is legallyrelevant and/or is intended to be legally binding upon VOLKSWAGEN AG.
What about TWIN turbo diesel ?
http://www.zercustoms.com/news/2008-BMW-123d.html
TYhe BMW 120 D is available with 2 l 125 KW/360 Nm engine since last year. The VW is bit late on Australian market.
The new BMW 123d (2008 model ), world’s most powerful production four-cylinder diesel engine , Variable Twin Turbo Diesel soon to be released in Australia will get a 150 KW/204 BHP and Peak torque is 400Nm from 2,000rpm, while the engine revs to in excess of 4,400rpm where peak power is attained.
This performance equates to a zero to 100 km time of 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h – previously unheard of figures in such small capacity production diesels.
By comparison the output of the four-cylinder BMW 123d betters that of established six-cylinder diesel engines from both Audi and Mercedes.
It also has outstanding fuel consumption levels, 5.2 litres of diesel for 100 kilometres in the EU test cycle.
Volkswagen WATCH OUT.
I hope that VW use adequate under body sound deadening to suppress unwanted road noise which is often over looked these days.
I put a deposit on the tiguan diesel, i am expecting delivery in sept.
The only worry i have is that the diesel will be underpowered. I have a subaru forester now and hope the overall tiguan package will not be a dissapointment.
i was told that the petrol 147kw will not be out until late next year - is this true?
has anyone driven the diesel 103kw - if so what is your opinion of the performance?
I saw a red Tiguan yesterday on the road. Does any one know what would be the delivery time if I put down a deposit today?
Dear VW,
I was considering Jeep Patriot CRD Manual with 2.0 VW TDI engine but now I will wait for Tiguan 103TDI 6 Auto. Please advice on delivery time and drive away price. Thank you
Disel tiguan
the CR engine is much smoother than the PD current 2.0.
performance wise the 103ch engine is adequate,do not expect rapid acceleration- mid range pulling power is good but the extra weight tells,some gear shift 6th to 5th may be necessary on small inclines-economy will suffer as a result-the boot is not much-although VW told me to take out the spare and use the KIt in case of a flat to seal a punctured tyre(no good it its a cut tho).. euro prices range 31-35000 euros-delivery will be 8-12months as production not ramped up yet.
check the spec as certain items (ie carpets..can be extras!!)
Typical Volkswagen…..launch an exciting product with much media fanfare and completely fail in the delivery.
This appears to be the Golf V all over again where dealers were accepting orders and purchasers then begin the 6-8 month wait for delivery.
VW should not be permitted to market a product they can not deliver within a reasonable time-I have been told by more than one dealer that a 6 month delay in delivery is expected…really, is this good enough or just accepted by Australian purchasers “because the demand in Europe and the US is so high”?
Whilst the product from other manufactures may not be as attractive, at least with them if I order a vehicle in 2008 I will get it in 2008 - not something VW can promise!
i am a VW salesman and have driven the TIGUAN on the great ocean road. I can assure anyone thinking that it may lack in power, that they are very wrong. The Tiguan is a great car and handles extremely well. it has plenty of power for its size. As for long waits for delivery? we still have 6 available from our initial allocation at Wagga Prestige. so if anyone is looking for a Tiguan without the wait, give me a call and I can hook you up.
To everyone thats already forward ordered one of these exciting vehicles, ENJOY!
I’ll have a TDI thanks - let me know options available on your 6 cars and let’s do a deal. My son has a desire to own one - I’m happy to oblige - the local VW Dealer (from whom we’ve bought 5 golfs in 2 years) is giving him the run around on delivery estimates??
Please call me on 0411479000
John Tibbits
I got lucky today and put a deposit on a Tiguan that had been preordered but the deal fell through (the dealer tells me because of divorce). The Tig is a refined impressive drive and the TDI has got nice rolling acceleration. The torque delivers quite adequately. For 48.5k on the road I got leather upholstery, Off-road options, fog lights and ‘comfort pack’=nice touches like dual climate self dimming rear view mirrors. I will receive car in early July instead of six to twelve months. Most stock left in SYdney that have not been sold yet are either base models with parking sensors, or so optioned up that they tip over $60k mark.
I agree that VW need to revise their now habit of bait and wait marketing with their new models.
Hey Ben, yeah, ticking yes to all the options gets you a sixty grand car!
The same happens with a Golf GT Sport Tdi. Adding leather, DSG, metallic paint, sunroof, sat-nav, bi-xenons and everything else gets you an on-road cost starting with a 6. Yikes!
My little diesel Comfortline was just over thirty with sunroof and metallic paint.
65,000AUD? ahahahahhaaha… more like 35,oooAUD,
the AUDI Q5 is about 65,000aud
Alexander. Settle down mate. List price is 35k - fully optioned up does tip it up toward 60k + if you medicated first then did rational sums.