Set to arrive in Irish showrooms in 2024, the all-new Volkswagen Tiguan has been revealed by the German company with a new look outside, a more upmarket interior with new technology inside, plus a range of engines that offer improved efficiency.
The Tiguan competes in the busy family SUV sector and it's Volkswagen's best-selling model worldwide, so the new car has some big boots to fill.
Evolutionary exterior design
From the outside, the Tiguan features styling cues that are familiar from the current Golf 8 and even Volkswagen's ID. electric models, with a smooth nose and air intakes set into the front apron. Slender LED headlights are fitted, and there's a light bar that stretches across the nose for higher-spec models in the range.
Further back, the Tiguan's profile is taller and there's a raised ride height, while large radiused wheelarches and subtle creases feature along the sides of the bodywork. There are roof rails leading back into the tailgate, where a small rear window and large horizontal light bar feature.
As with the current Tiguan, Life and Elegance models are expected to kick off the line-up, while a sportier R-Line trim will add a subtly sportier body kit and bigger wheels. Volkswagen hasn't confirmed if the high-performance Tiguan R will return.
Improved running gear
The new Tiguan is based on an evolution of the current car's platform, called MQB evo. This will be shared with the new Passat Estate (which is not going on sale in Ireland) and updated Golf that's due next year. It features updated electronic technology that's designed to improve handling among other things.
As well as an updated platform, the engine range receives a makeover. The current Tiguan was a late adopter of plug-in hybrid power within the VW model line-up, but the new car will feature an 'eHybrid' variant from the start. The new set-up features Volkswagen's already-efficient 1.5 TSI petrol four-cylinder engine, and adds an electric motor so that the two eHybrid powertrains that will be offered come with either 204hp or 272hp.
The electric motor gets its energy from a 19.7kWh battery that's located just ahead of the rear axle. Placing it there helps weight distribution, with the electric motor, petrol engine and DSG twin-clutch gearbox mounted up front. Volkswagen says that it's good for an all-electric range of 100 kilometres, while 50kW charging means it can take as little as 25 minutes to recharge the battery from a powerful enough DC source.
Other powertrain include the 1.5 TSI 'evo2' four-cylinder petrol unit, which now comes with a 48-volt starter generator, lithium-ion battery and cylinder deactivation to boost efficiency over its predecessor. This will come in 130hp and 150hp guises, both with front-wheel drive and a DSG twin-clutch automatic gearbox.
Conventional 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines will also be offered in two outputs each. The TSI petrol comes with 204hp or 265hp, while the TDI diesel is slightly behind with 150hp or 193hp. The higher-powered versions of each engine come with 4Motion four-wheel drive as standard, while all cars feature DSG auto.
It has yet to be confirmed which of these engines will be offered to Irish buyers.
Cabin rethink
A new interior layout features improved materials and more advanced tech, while early pictures show that LED cabin lighting has been extended to include the panel ahead of the passenger, as well as the drive mode selector on the centre console. There's plenty of gloss-black plastic on show, while the digital displays are an upgrade of what's gone before.
A touch-sensitive panel remains in place beneath the main touchscreen, and this contains the sliding temperature and volume adjustments of before, but it's now illuminated so they should be far easier to use at night.
The touchscreen features Volkswagen's MIB4 infotainment system that adds more functionality. The main display has a letterbox layout courtesy of shortcut bars at the top and bottom of the display. The top bar has a quick access button in the corner to get to the app screen, while the other positions can be customised by the user to have the most useful functions added as shortcuts. At the bottom are quick climate controls, while the central square offers instant access to the main menu.
Digital dials make a return for the new Tiguan. The display measures 10.25 inches across, and like before is operated via the multifunction steering wheel. There are the same traditional and hi-tech configurations, plus a layout that places the navigation map dead ahead, while R-Line versions will offer a racier motorsport-inspired rev counter and gear display.
A seven-seat replacement for the Tiguan Allspace should be revealed in due course and there are rumours that it will be given a model name of its own. We will have to wait until 2024 for confirmation of pricing for the new VW Tiguan range in Ireland.