Click to enlarge.
Volkswagen of America* has unveiled the all-new 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo at the New York Auto Show, which will be the nameplate’s top trim beginning in the 2026 Model Year starting this fall. The Tiguan Turbo incorporates the “refined” aspects of the 2025 Tiguan adding 67 more horsepower to give the compact SUV more oomph. The 2.0-liter EA888 turbo four-cylinder engine is rated at 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 67 hp and 51 lb.-ft. compared to the base engine.
“The improved performance compared with the base engine comes from a number of changes. The engine has a larger turbocharger that enables higher boost pressure, combined with a lower 10.5 to one compression ratio. Internally, the engine benefits from stronger pistons and connecting rods, as well as a nitrided crankshaft. The engine also has oil cooling for the pistons, as well as variable valve lift on both the intake and exhaust side. It still uses Miller-cycle technology to help improve fuel economy compared to a conventional four-cycle engine, and runs on regular gasoline,” VWoA said.
The Tiguan Turbo powerplant also has several changes shared with the lower power engine, such as higher fuel injection pressure, raised from 5076 psi (350 bar) to 7252 psi (500 bar). There are further tweaks to the intake, intercooler, and lubrication system, including a higher-displacement vane-type oil pump. Changes to reduce friction include optimized chain drives for the camshafts and oil pump. The engine is bolted to an 8-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Tiguan Turbo has standard 4Motion® all-wheel drive.
Click to enlarge.
In addition to the power improvement, third-generation Tiguan models weigh up to ~170 pounds less than the outgoing model, helping both fuel economy and acceleration. EPA-estimated fuel economy is not yet available and will be released at a later time, as will pricing closer to launch this Fall. The weight savings are in large part due to the use of lightweight materials in the body structure and suspension, as well as to changes to the braking system.
The new-for-2025 Tiguan was fully redesigned on the so-called MQB evo platform with new sheet metal that has a shorter rear overhang and “expressive styling that has a higher, more powerful nose than the second-generation Tiguan.” Tiguan Turbo has an LED light bar and illuminated logo, along with slimmer headlights. The roofline is extended by a spoiler that helps to optimize aerodynamics, along with side flow elements in the D-post and air curtains in the front bumper. A rear LED light bar and illuminated logo mirror the front design, and a black roof is standard on Tiguan Turbo models.
The Tiguan Turbo has 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and a color palette that includes three new options introduced for 2025, including Avocado Green Pearl, Sandstone Uni and Monterey Blue Pearl.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
VW Shows 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo
Click to enlarge.
Volkswagen of America* has unveiled the all-new 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo at the New York Auto Show, which will be the nameplate’s top trim beginning in the 2026 Model Year starting this fall. The Tiguan Turbo incorporates the “refined” aspects of the 2025 Tiguan adding 67 more horsepower to give the compact SUV more oomph. The 2.0-liter EA888 turbo four-cylinder engine is rated at 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 67 hp and 51 lb.-ft. compared to the base engine.
“The improved performance compared with the base engine comes from a number of changes. The engine has a larger turbocharger that enables higher boost pressure, combined with a lower 10.5 to one compression ratio. Internally, the engine benefits from stronger pistons and connecting rods, as well as a nitrided crankshaft. The engine also has oil cooling for the pistons, as well as variable valve lift on both the intake and exhaust side. It still uses Miller-cycle technology to help improve fuel economy compared to a conventional four-cycle engine, and runs on regular gasoline,” VWoA said.
The Tiguan Turbo powerplant also has several changes shared with the lower power engine, such as higher fuel injection pressure, raised from 5076 psi (350 bar) to 7252 psi (500 bar). There are further tweaks to the intake, intercooler, and lubrication system, including a higher-displacement vane-type oil pump. Changes to reduce friction include optimized chain drives for the camshafts and oil pump. The engine is bolted to an 8-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Tiguan Turbo has standard 4Motion® all-wheel drive.
Click to enlarge.
In addition to the power improvement, third-generation Tiguan models weigh up to ~170 pounds less than the outgoing model, helping both fuel economy and acceleration. EPA-estimated fuel economy is not yet available and will be released at a later time, as will pricing closer to launch this Fall. The weight savings are in large part due to the use of lightweight materials in the body structure and suspension, as well as to changes to the braking system.
The new-for-2025 Tiguan was fully redesigned on the so-called MQB evo platform with new sheet metal that has a shorter rear overhang and “expressive styling that has a higher, more powerful nose than the second-generation Tiguan.” Tiguan Turbo has an LED light bar and illuminated logo, along with slimmer headlights. The roofline is extended by a spoiler that helps to optimize aerodynamics, along with side flow elements in the D-post and air curtains in the front bumper. A rear LED light bar and illuminated logo mirror the front design, and a black roof is standard on Tiguan Turbo models.
The Tiguan Turbo has 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and a color palette that includes three new options introduced for 2025, including Avocado Green Pearl, Sandstone Uni and Monterey Blue Pearl.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.