What's all this about?
Volkswagen has whipped the metaphorical covers off one of the most important models in its line-up: the all-new, second-generation Tiguan, seen for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Why is it so important?
It's an SUV, and SUVs are selling like the bloody clappers at the moment. Volkswagen has shifted 2.64 million first-gen Tiguans, so this one needs to be good to continue the trend.
Does it look like it'll be a hit?
On the styling and interior fronts, yes. The new chrome-trimmed, wide front grille, angular light clusters and sharp swage lines are all part of the fresh Volkswagen corporate look (the Tiguan is very close in appearance to a jacked-up Passat Estate) and the junior SUV wears the design particularly well. Inside is bigger than before, as the car has grown in most dimensions - it sits 33mm lower than a MkI, though - and features all the sorts of electronic connectivity, comfort and safety gizmos you'd expect. Plus a nice big touchscreen in the centre console.
How much extra space is there?
In the boot, lots. There's an extra 51 litres with the rear seats up, with a total of 521 litres now on offer, but you can slide that rear row of chairs forward by up to 180mm, increasing cargo capacity to 617 litres. Fold the seats down and 1,656 litres of clobber can be hoisted into the rear of the Tiguan, fully 144 litres more than previously.
What about engines?
Eight turbocharged, EU6-compliant units are split neatly into four TSIs and four TDIs. The petrols range from 125- to 220hp (that's the Golf GTI engine), while the diesels make between 115- and 240hp. The Tiguan is 50kg lighter than its predecessor model-for-model and aerodynamic drag has been reduced by 40 per cent (the Cd is now 0.31), so fuel efficiency is up 24 per cent over Mk1 EU5 Tiguans and 10 per cent over the EU6 versions.
Is it any good off-road?
Some Tiguans will be front-wheel drive only but 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive will be optional or standard fit on the more powerful engines. An off-road pack is also an option, which alters the front of the car to improve the approach angle to 25.6 degrees, compared to 18.3 degrees for the 'normal' SUVs. The Tiguan should be capable of towing up to 2.5 tonnes.
And is there a hybrid model?
There will be, sometime after the car's launch in early 2016. On the Frankfurt stand, alongside the R-Line, regular and off-road Tiguans is a GTE variant, with the same 218hp plug-in hybrid drivetrain as seen in the Passat GTE we drove a few weeks back. This is a concept in name only; expect it to be approved for production in the very near future.
Matt Robinson - 14 Sep 2015