MMIS 2008: Tiguan is serious business

By Samantha Stevens

Carsguide

29 February 2008

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The VW Tiguans delayed debut has not affected its long list of technological SUV firsts.

The Tiguan represents a vital component in Volkswagen’s ever-increasing passenger car line-up, and its debut in Australia has been a long and frustrating process for the German carmaker.

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The compact SUV offers up five-seats, three engines, and up to 1510-litres and 650kg of cargo carrying capacity, which makes it a very competitive proposition in its class. But outside its class, Tiguan features some pretty nifty technology that is typically seen on more expensive vehicles.

For starters, we will get three engine variants put through VWs 4Motion AWD system – a 125 and 1457kW TSI petrol, and a 103kW turbodiesel which will be the first engine available to Australian buyers.

The TSI engine, which has taken home an International Engine of the Year gong twice in its two-year production life, uses both supercharging and turbocharging technology to increase vital low- and mid-range torque.

Another option for the dirt-seekers is an off-road switch which activates a hill descent/ascent program, a more sensitive throttle pedal, automated response from the Electronic Differential Locks, off-road rated ABS, and gear-dependant engine braking in automatic models.

And Lexus’s $240,000 hybrid saloon’s self-parking claim to fame is now shared by the soft-roader. An optional Park Steering Assistant program controls the car’s steering inputs for the perfect reverse parallel park, while all the driver has to do is surrender their hands, and use throttle and brake pedals to proceed or stop. If said driver panics and grabs for the wheel, the Steering Assistant relinquishes control again.

So Tiguan is a family car that can go off-road or on, is entirely turbocharged, carries a payload or a family, and parks itself. And it will launch almost five months ahead of schedule in June with a starting price of $33,990. The SUV market just got even more competitive…

Comments on this story

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I'm a Volkswagen sales consultant and had the pleasure of driving one of these exciting cars a few weeks ago on the great ocean road. for all those thinking the 103kw wont have enough power, very wrong. We really put it through its paces on and off road and it handled everything we threw at it with ease. Its not designed as a full off road vehicle (thats why we have the Touareg) Its an adventure vehicle. Something for a fun weekend away as well as being a great city car. Although alot of people are worried about availability, its not as bad as people think. We still have half our innitial allocation available at Wagga Prestige, and a few more on order. To all those who have already forward ordered one of these exciting vehicles. get ready for some fun Enjoy Mal

MAL CHAPMAN of Wagga Wagga NSW Posted at 23 May 2008 12:43pm

I ordered a TDI today, there isn't any engine option if you want one this year. They have sold all of first shipment without anyone seeing one. I haven't seen it but put deposit down which i'll claim back if when demos arrive in couple of weeks and it lets me down. On road with options like leather trim, off road, climate control, parking sensors it will be around $50-52k. Still have to wait to Oct for this, apparently once this shipment is gone its 9-12 months before next. Re: comment re: VW haven't got ready for market its because its selling like hotcakes in Europe and they can't make enough, and Aust would be at bottom of their pile of priorities. Suba on the other hand Aust is the Foresters second best selling country so I heard

Stuey Posted at 17 May 2008 7:16pm

it was a car i was longing for. I changed my mind after contacted local dealer, who told me the waiting time for the car is 15-18 months,,,so, I turned to Suba's foresterï¼Œ which only take up to 6 weeks. I believe the 2.5 turbo 169kw 330n*m is better than vw's 147kw 280n*m. i should say vw havent got ready for the market.

sean of syd Posted at 27 April 2008 1:14pm

"Another option for the dirt-seekers is an off-road switch which activates a hill descent/ascent program, a more sensitive throttle pedal, automated response from the Electronic Differential Locks, off-road rated ABS, and gear-dependant engine braking in automatic models." Once again a motoring writer unquestioningly accepts a carmaker's claims that its soft-roader has off-road capability, when nothing could be further from the truth. Those features don't qualify the Tiguan as an off-roader in any way, shape or form. Volkswagen Australia doesn't even quote basic off-road specifications as ground clearance, approach/departure/ramp-over angles and wading depth for the vehicle! Contrary to VWA's public website, which boasts "Options for the Tiguan include an off-road switch, which at the press of a button awakens an entire armada of assistance systems for making drives off-road especially safe.", this soft-roader shouldn't be driven on anything rougher than 'all weather' gravel roads. Never off-road.

'Morris Dancer' (freelance 4WD journalist) of Sydney, Australia Posted at 08 March 2008 12:34am

This is definitely on my radar, I'll be keen to rate it against the other two vehicles I was interested in the Honda CR-V and the Holden Captiva. Having VW quality is a good selling point.

Jack of Darwin Posted at 05 March 2008 12:03pm

it sounds good lets just hope they dont get to excited and make the car unaffordable to the working class people as the wv GT i got went up by $4000 from when i got it dosent sound right with your aus dollar getting better dose it??? vw should do the right this and pass the saving on then see now much better the sales would get i know i would buy one if they did that...

michael smithstan Posted at 02 March 2008 10:54pm

It really sounds a car worth waiting for. Having the VW badge, which is well known for it's durability just might give me an excuse in trading in my Japanese workhorse.

Jack Willigers of Grose Vale Posted at 29 February 2008 3:22pm

I'll take the 1457kW version, thanks!!

David Posted at 29 February 2008 3:02pm

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