- First Sports Utility Vehicle based on MQB sets standards in design, comfort and convenience
- 2.8 million units sold worldwide since its market introduction in 2007
The new Tiguan is a great all-rounder with distinctive styling which redefines its class and confidently points the way to the future.
It is the first Volkswagen SUV to sit on the now familiar MQB, or Modularer Querbaukasten (Modular Transverse Matrix) platform, which means it benefits from the latest available technology and shares much of its underpinnings with other successful new models such as the award-winning Golf and Passat.
The first generation Tiguan which was launched in 2007 (2008 in South Africa) is a compelling sales success story. Since then, 2.8 million (over 19 000 in South Africa) units have been sold worldwide. Tiguan is sold in more than 170 countries worldwide which makes it one of the important models of the Volkswagen brand alongside the Golf, Passat and Polo.
New Tiguan remains capable off-road, with a rugged 4MOTION all-wheel drive system that includes premium class technology for use on and off road. With its new 4MOTION Active Control, the Tiguan guarantees smooth acceleration and an exciting driving experience in all situation and every type of driving surface.
The completely redesigned Tiguan benefits from a broad engine selection. At launch, the new Tiguan will be offered in two 1.4 TSI engines – 92kW and 110kW. The 2.0 TDI engines with 81kW, 105kW and 130kW as well as the ranger topping 2.0 TSI with 162kW will be introduced in the last quarter of 2016. The high powered engines will be offered with 4MOTION drive system as standard. The new car will be offered in three equipment levels Trendline, Comfortline and Highline.
A spacious interior paired with a significant gain in boot space – when the rear bench is folded the cargo space, at 1,655 litres, is now 145 litres larger than its predecessor – makes for even more practicality in everyday use.
The design of the new Tiguan emphasises style, presence and dynamism. With this car Volkswagen is introducing a completely new design character for its SUVs, which combines striking proportions with a clear commitment to sophistication and authority. This proactive attitude is systematically followed in details such as the horizontally aligned unit formed by the radiator grille and headlights, and the higher waist line compared to the previous model, resulting in a particularly confident stance.
Safety is paramount in all Volkswagen passenger cars, and the Tiguan includes driver and front passenger airbags, an airbag curtain system and front seat side impact airbags. Hazard lights flash automatically under hard braking, while Electronic Stability Control, XDS transverse differential lock and fatigue detection (Rest Assist) are all standard. The new Tiguan received a five star rating from Euro NCAP making it one of the Europe’s safest cars. The overall safety rating of five stars was aggregated from the new Tiguan’s results in four sub-sections: occupant protection for adults and children, pedestrian protection and driver assistance systems.
Manual air conditioning, electric front and rear windows, cruise control, front fog lights, leather multi-function steering wheel, connectivity package (Bluetooth & USB interface) & roof rails are among the many standard-fit features on all models in the range.
All TSI engines feature BlueMotion Technology. As such they include Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems to enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions.
Naturally the latest Tiguan retains all the versatility and practicality for which the previous model was renowned. This five-door, five-seat SUV even includes an adjustable 40:20:40 split bench rear seat that can slide fore or aft by up to 18 cms, thereby maximising either rear legroom, or boot space.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The unmistakable SUV profile of the new Tiguan radiates authority, confidence and control. This impression is created because the designers, under the leadership of Klaus Bischoff, applied a simple ethos: less is more.
The proportions of the base model with front-wheel drive give it a powerful stance on the road with a 33 mm reduction in height to 1,632 mm and a 30 mm increase in width to 1,839 mm. At 4,486 mm in length, it is also 60 mm longer than its predecessor. The wheelbase has been extended to 2,681 mm – an increase of 77 mm.
At the front, in particular, the unit formed by the radiator grille and the optional LED headlights reinforces the car’s powerful impression and upright stance. At the sides, the waist and character lines as well as the eye-catching wheel arches attest to the creativity of the designers.
The well thought-out production technology is similarly worthy of note. For instance, the door handles have been integrated seamlessly. Meanwhile the Tiguan’s character line helps to define a rear section whose clear edges and horizontally aligned surfaces expertly continue the story of sporty all-rounders.
When it comes to aerodynamics, the new Tiguan has been significantly optimised. It has a Cd figure as low as 0.32 and is therefore 13 per cent better than its predecessor’s 0.37. This has been achieved via a number of small and seemingly insignificant individual measures – from the aerodynamically efficient car body to an optimised underbody concept. The weight of the new Tiguan has been reduced by up to 53 kg. In the body alone, around 12 kg of weight is saved despite the longer wheelbase and longer vehicle length.
Lightweight design measures were implemented such as “tailored blanks” – the load-optimised thickening of sheet metal blanks. In addition, optimising the rear portal and the cross members between the rear wheel housings have made the body much stiffer, despite a significant lengthening of 77 mm in the critical zone between the A and C pillars.
The rear hatch has also been enlarged compared with the previous model. Nonetheless, the important parameter of torsional rigidity is optimised in the new Tiguan. At 28,000 Nm/degree without a panoramic sunroof, and 25,000 Nm/degree with the panoramic sunroof, the figures for the new Tiguan comfortably surpass those of the previous model.
INTERIOR DESIGN
The new Tiguan’s interior designers determined that size is not an end in itself. But it is one of the factors that determine comfort and, as such, the new Tiguan – with an interior 26 mm longer than previously – is now one of the most spacious cars in its class. At the rear, up to three passengers can now enjoy 29 mm more knee room. Despite its lower overall height, the vehicle has a clever ergonomic design that actually offers more headroom than before. And seat height, which customers consider so very important in an SUV of any class, was raised 8 mm in the new Tiguan.
The car also offers a sliding rear bench that was optimised to permit 180 mm of adjustment – 20 mm more than in the previous model. When the rear bench is slid forwards, the boot offers 615 litres of space, which is a massive gain of 145 litres. Meanwhile when the rear bench is folded, the vehicle’s 1,655 litres of boot volume is enough for all manner of large loads.
The SUV design language is also taken up consistently in the interior, of course. The cockpit, for example, is now aligned towards the driver for better comfort and without constricting or disturbing the airy impression of the interior. At the same time, the wider centre console typical of SUVs is paired with the new 4MOTION Active Control rotary switch to create a defining interior element with a premium feel as in the current Touareg. In the pleasant atmosphere of the ambient lighting the sophisticated overall impression is completed by the panoramic roof (870 mm x 1,364 mm, available as an option) and details like the elegant door handles and smart trim strips.
TECHNOLOGY
By virtue of its MQB underpinnings, the new Tiguan is packed with the very latest technology. For instance, new to the compact SUV class is the Active Info Display – familiar from the latest Passat – and now with SUV-specific instruments.
Active Info Display
In combination with the display of the radio or navigation system this creates a virtual, flexible human-machine interface (HMI) whose displays complement one another. Six different views are available for the optional 12.3-inch Active Info Display. Unique to the Tiguan is an off-road display profile with steering angle indicator and compass that was specially designed for the car. When navigation is activated the large central display can be selected, as in the Passat. Here, 3D navigation is shown directly in the Active Info Display, in addition to the infotainment screen.
Head-up Display
Navigating is also supported by the optional retractable head-up display that is integrated into the Tiguan’s dashboard and boasts laser-etched texturing. Using technology originally developed for fighter pilots relevant driver information such as driving speed, current speed limit, direction arrows for navigation and indicators for the driver assistance systems are projected directly onto the display and thereby into the driver’s line of sight.
MIB-based infotainment
In the new Tiguan Volkswagen is implementing the latest generation of infotainment systems, based on the brand’s Modular Infotainment Platform (MIB).
Kicking off the line-up is the standard 5-inch touchscreen Radio/CD “Composition Colour” system with MP3 compatibility, 8-speakers, SD Card and AUX-in connection. The system is further enhanced by the connectivity package which includes Bluetooth and USB interface. Next is the optional 6.5-inch touchscreen Radio/CD “Composition Media” with MP3/WMA, 8-speakers, Bluetooth, SD Card, USB interface and AUX-in connection.
Further up the scale, the optional Discover Pro navigation units feature larger eight-inch displays with DVD Drive.
Delivering a truly exceptional sound experience in the new Tiguan is the optional 400-watt DYNAUDIO Excite Surround system with a digital 10-channel amplifier, subwoofer and centre speaker integrated in the cockpit. The low-resonance loudspeakers were meticulously tuned to the new Tiguan for perfect surround sound.
SAFETY
The new Tiguan’s MQB platform has allowed Volkswagen to integrate even more active and passive safety systems and features. Standard features include active engine bonnet, ESP, XDS transverse differential lock and fatigue detection ‘Rest Assist’. The safety equipment is completed by a network of six airbags. The new Tiguan, like all Volkswagen cars based on the MQB platform, also comes with the automatic post-collision braking system which helps to avoid dangerous secondary collisions.
Active bonnet
The active bonnet – a first for any Volkswagen – reduces the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists. When contact is made with the bumper, a sensor strip triggers a pyrotechnic actuator that lifts the rear edge of the bonnet by around 50 mm within 22 milliseconds. This increases the distance between the hard engine components and the relatively flexible bonnet. In turn, it reduces the risk of serious head injuries.
COMFORT
As sporty and rugged as the new Tiguan appears, it is still uncompromising when it comes to comfort. The new model has made significant gains compared with the already comfortable previous model, from the larger interior – in which high-quality materials form a harmonious unit together with the completely redesigned cockpit – to the flexible and capacious boot space.
Seat structures
The second generation seat structure being used for the first time in the new Tiguan delivers relaxed comfort – even on rough surfaces. The front seat structure, whose weight has been reduced substantially, is being used for the first time at Volkswagen in the new Tiguan. Weight savings of 20 per cent have been achieved by the new design approaches that utilise innovative materials and production methods. In addition, the wires that are woven in a complex pattern in the seat surface help to achieve light springing – and thereby an improvement in comfort, especially on uneven driving surfaces.
The driver and front passenger sit much more comfortably overall, courtesy of this standard feature. The comfort has been significantly improved over longer periods of driving in the new Tiguan, and the foam contours of the seats have been completely redesigned compared to the previous model. The contours offer better lateral support for passengers and the foam offers a much more flexible fit to the body.
LED headlights
The LED basic headlights (standard from Comfortline) deliver 10 per cent better lighting performance compared to halogen headlights. The light has a much whiter appearance than with the basic H7 headlights. On top of this, the all-LED headlight with lens and reflector – adds another highlight. It is more powerful than a bi-xenon headlight and also has whiter light.
Automatic climate control: 3-Zone innovation
The optional new 3-Zone climate control system in today’s Tiguan naturally offers truly personalised climate comfort for driver and passengers. The air quality sensor with allergen filter prevents hazardous materials from entering the car’s interior, while sun and humidity sensors help to achieve optimal climate control in the interior and regulate air humidity, thereby reducing the incidence of window fogging.
ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS AND RUNNING GEAR
The engine range of the new Tiguan delivers a broader choice, with the emphasis spread neatly between power and economy. Refinement, of course, applies across the board. The three petrol engines available to customers offer power outputs from 92kW to 162kW, and the diesel engines from 81kW to130kW.
At launch, only 1.4 TSI engines with 92kW and110kW will be offered. The 92kW will be available with 6-speed manual transmission and 110kW is mated to a 6-speed DSG transmission. The 2.0 TDI engines with power output of 81kW, 105kW and 130kW will be introduced in the last quarter of 2016 together with 2.0 TSI with 162kW. The high powered engines (2.0 TDI with 105kW and 130kW as well as 2.0 TSI with 162kW) will be fitted with the 4MOTION drive system
PETROL ENGINES
1.4-litre TSI with 92kW has up to 200 Nm of torque. It is a four cylinder in-line direct injection turbocharged engine, with four valves per cylinder. It is available with a six speed manual transmission.
1.4-litre TSI with 110kW delivers up to 250 Nm of torque. This engine has cylinder deactivation technology (ACT) which is available for the first time in the Volkswagen model range in South Africa. This technology temporarily shuts off the second and third cylinder, which depending on the driving style, reduces the fuel consumption. It is also a four cylinder in-line direct injection turbocharged engine, with four valves per cylinder. It is available with six speed DSG transmission.
Both engines feature BlueMotion Technology. As such they include Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems to enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions.
Optional Features
The new Tiguan can be customised with a number of optional convenience features such as panoramic sunroof, electrically detachable towbar, LED-mid Headlights package, R-Line exterior package with 19-inch Sebring alloy wheels, Head-up display, Parallel parking assistance with rear view camera, Active Info Display, 8-inch Discover Pro Radio with satellite navigation system, 6.5-inch Radio/CD Composition Media, adaptive cruise control with front assist, App-connect, ambient light package, leather seats with electric adjustment, DynAudio Premium sound system, Keyless Access – keyless locking and engine starting system, electric tailgate, adaptive cruise control.
New Tiguan Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)
1.4 TSI 92kW Trendline Manual R378 000
1.4 TSI 92kW Comfortline Manual R419 000
1.4 TSI 110kW Comfortline DSG R457 680
The new Tiguan comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km Service Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service Interval is 15 000km.
