The Week That Was: Volkswagen Tiguan, Honda Civic, Frankfurt Motor Show

Volkswagen unveiled its long-awaited second generation Tiguan SUV this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Described by Volkswagen as a “revolution instead of evolution” the new Tiguan adopts a crisp new style in place of the softer forms that defined the original.

Built atop the modular MQB platform of the Volkswagen group, the new Tiguan’s body is 50kg lighter than its predecessor and 60mm longer at 4486mm. Wheelbase and width have also grown, while height has dropped.

Honda revealed its all-new Civic sedan in North-American guise this week, announcing that its staple small sedan will be available for the first time with a turbocharged engine, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a suite of active electronic safety aids.

Measuring some 50mm wider, 25mm lower and with a 30mm longer wheelbase than the current model, the new Civic features a shorter front overhang, more interior space and a larger boot.

The front seat hip point has been dropped by roughly 25mm to improve headroom and impart a sportier feel to the driving position, while an acoustically-insulated windscreen, triple-sealed door apertures and more sound dampening materials reduce cabin noise.

the week that was.