Volkswagen has unveiled its Taigun SUV concept at the Sao Paulo Motor Show. The new model is based on the same platform as the up! and Volkswagen will use the public reaction in Sao Paulo to determine whether or not to put the Taigun into production.
Exterior
If put into production, the Taigun would sit beneath the Tiguan in Volkswagen's model line-up; and its exterior dimensions back that up. The Taigun measures at 3.86 metres long and 1.73 metres wide. Styling details hint at the up! combined with features from the Tiguan and Touareg. Plastic side panels, under-body protection and roof rails give it the rugged SUV look; aided by the wide tracks, raised ride height and 17-inch alloys. The Taigun also features a split-tailgate round the back.
Interior
Inside you'll find more space than expected thanks to the 2.47-metre wheelbase. Dashboard features are simple but concise. The front air vents individually control their own temperature, blower speed and direction. The touchscreen infotainment system pairs with the majority of smartphones and auxiliary gauges above display oil pressure, coolant temperature and turbo boost pressure.
Mechanicals
A new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is fitted to the Taigun, producing 108hp and 175Nm of torque. Due to a combination of direct fuel injection and forced induction, 0-100km/h is dealt with in 9.2 seconds, while returning a claimed fuel economy figure of 60.1mpg (4.7 litres/100km).
Anything else?
Autocar magazine is reporting that a source in Volkswagen told its report that SEAT and Skoda versions of the Taigun are also a possibility.