Volkswagen will launch other SUVs tailored to specific markets in a variety of segments especially in the U.S. where it is struggling. A new midsize SUV will the built in Chattanooga starting at the end of 2016.
Volkswagen debuted a newly developed European Tiguan crossover SUV at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. In this case, “new” might actually come close to new because the second generation Tiguan is the first Volkswagen Group SUV whose design is based on the badly named MQB platform, which stands for modular transverse matrix.
After selling over 2.64 million of the first generation Tiguan SUV in one of the fastest growing segments globally – compact SUV – and with global sales forecasts increasing from 8.17 million today to 8.93 million (+9%) by 2018, VW is planning four Tiguan versions, up from two, that will start appearing next year.
In 2014, more than 500,000 Tiguan SUVs were produced, +9% than in the prior year. However, instead of merely tracking market growth, VW is hoping that an enlarged model line can outpace it. The confirmed production versions now are the Tiguan R-Line, an on-road model and an off-road version. There is also a Tiguan GTE concept vehicle that has a 160 kW/218 PS plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a solar sunroof that generates renewable electricity for the battery pack, adding up to a claimed 1,000 additional kilometers of electric driving.
At 176.6 inches in length, the new Tiguan is 2.4 inches longer, with a wheelbase increased by 3 inches to 105.6 inches. At 72.4 inches, it is 1.2 inches wider than before. Meanwhile, a reduction of 1.3 inches to 64.3 inches on the base, front-wheel-drive model where off-road clearance does not matter made it lower. (Echos here or hear of 1950s U.S. auto marketing here: Longer! Lower! Wider!)
The coefficient of drag of the new Tiguan was reduced to 0.31 as well, with numerous aerodynamic improvements, such as the door mirrors during wind tunnel testing and airflow simulations. VW claims a 40% reduction in overall air drag losses on the body.
There are eight Euro-6 compliant engines, all of which have turbocharging, direct injection, a stop-start system and battery regeneration as standard equipment. The four TSI gasoline engines produce 92 kW / 125 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS, 132 kW / 180 PS and 162 kW / 220 PS. The four TDI diesel engines produce 85 kW / 115 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS, 140 kW / 190 PS and 176 kW / 240 PS.
The base engines of the new Tiguan come with front-wheel drive, but all of the other engines are available with all-wheel drive either as an option or as standard. Compared to the previous model with Euro-5 engines, the four-cylinder engines in the new Tiguan are up to 24% more fuel-efficient. Compared to previous Tiguans with Euro-6 engines, there is up to 10% better fuel efficiency.
In upcoming years, VW will launch other SUVs tailored to specific markets in a variety of segments especially in the U.S. where it is struggling. A new midsize SUV will the built in Chattanooga starting at the end of 2016.
Forecasts indicate that SUV share will also increase significantly in China, and that additional SUV growth will occur in Europe. Unlike in Europe, drivers in the U.S. and China prefer versions with a longer wheelbase, the reason the new Tiguan was developed for two different wheelbases from the start. The “long” Tiguan will be introduced to specific markets starting in the Fall of 2016.
