Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV breaks cover in UK

The Tiguan is on sale in the UK from 1 February 2008 and it is Volkswagen’s first compact SUV.

Taking visual cues from its ‘big brother’ off-roader, the Touareg, Volkswagen says it offers buyers high levels of interior space, comfort and specification, as well as value for money.

UK prices range from £19,370 to £23,750 with the projected best selling model, the SE 2.0-litre TDI 140PS costing £21,800 in manual gearbox form or £23,050 with the six-speed tiptronic auto transmission.

The Tiguan competes in the compact 4x4 sector, a direct rival to cars such as the Toyota RAV4, Land Rover Freelander and Honda CRV.

In the UK, this growing sector now accounts for around one in every 20 cars purchased, and total annual sales of 108,000 units. Volkswagen anticipates first year UK sales of 10,500 units, around the same as the Volkswagen’s Touran compact MPV.

Tiguan UK sales should increase to 11,300 units in 2009 when the range is complete with a full engine line-up and a two-wheel drive version will be added by the end of the year. Volkswagen said this week that they already have 3,200 orders for the new Tiguan.

Although this is Volkswagen’s first time in the compact SUV segment, with no sales history to use to predict whom the customers will be. They expect 60 per cent of Tiguan customers to be retail buyers with 40 per cent to business and fleet users and 35 per cent of users will choose to specify an automatic transmission.

At launch, the best-selling engine will be the 2.0-litre diesel unit combined with SE trim; this is expected to account for 30 per cent of sales. Over 85 per cent of Tiguans sold will have a diesel engine.

Just five per cent of buyers are forecast to choose the Escape trim, which is biased towards off-road applications. All Tiguan models have five seats and five doors.

From launch all Tiguan models will be offered with standard 4Motion four-wheel drive where in normal use 90 per cent of the drive is directed to the front wheels but when extra grip is needed variable amounts of power can be directed to the rear wheels – up to 100 per cent in extreme conditions.

The front axle adopts a strut type system linked to a lightweight aluminium subframe with electro-mechanical power steering. A four-link rear axle is used to provide optimum on-road handling while still being suited to off- road driving.

The range will be split into four trim levels: S, SE and Sport which have a front end treatment biased towards on- road applications and an 18 degree angle of approach. Additionally an Escape trim level will be offered for those customers looking for additional off-road capability.

This has a unique front end design featuring a shorter overhang, protective element over the front radiator grille, a sump guard, hill descent assist and a compass as well as a 28 degree angle of approach.

Two engines will be available at launch, a new 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS common rail diesel and a 1.4-litre TSI 150 PS petrol unit. Later in 2008 a 170 PS TDI engine and a further pair of TSI petrol engines with 170 and 200PSo power outputs will be added to the line-up.

All diesel engines comply with the Euro 5 emissions standard that comes into effect in 2009. Both six-speed manual and tiptronic automatic transmissions will be offered on all engines except the 1.4-litre TSI petrol unit.

Volkswagen also says the Tiguan insurance group ratings are class leading with a rating of group 9 for both launch models.

Slightly larger externally than the Touran MPV, Volkswagen says the Tiguan boasts a class-leading towing capacity of up to 2,500 kg. The rear bench, which can be moved fore and aft to liberate extra leg or luggage room, provides seating for three passengers; and when the rear seats are folded away, the Tiguan has a load volume of between 395 and 1,510 litres depending on whether the rear seats are in use or folded down.

Standard equipment levels are high, with all Tiguans featuring alloy wheels, air conditioning, MP3 compatible CD player, ABS with Hydraulic Brake Assist, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), a curtain airbag system plus twin front and side airbags among a host of other items.

A number of innovative options are also available, including Volkswagen’s new RNS 510 touchscreen satellite navigation and audio system incorporating special navigation software to allow route guidance while off-road.

The very useful Park Assist system which was pioneered on the Touran and takes over steering inputs from the driver whilst undertaking reverse parking manoeuvres is also offered on the Tiguan at £450.

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