Earlier last month, Volkswagen revealed some details about the the India 2.0 strategy and the highlight was that there are two new SUVs from Volkswagen lined up for a launch this year. One of them will of course be the upcoming Taigun mid-size SUV which will be the first made-in-India product under the India 2.0 strategy. However, there were quite a few speculations about what the second SUV could be. Our best guess at the time was that it could be the return of the five-seater Tiguan SUV. And now we have more proof affirming that belief as the Tiguan facelift has made its spy shot debut in India.
Volkswagen unveiled the Tiguan facelift
globally earlier last year and it has now been spotted testing in India sans
camouflage. This in-fact seems to be a production-spec model. Compared to the
pre-facelift model, the new Tiguan packs in quite an upgrade, with most of the
changes concentrated on the face. The new angular LED headlamps and the
sportier-looking bumper give the new Tiguan a much more imposing stance. The
facelifted model also boasts of VW's sleeker new logo.
There are no changes to the side profile
of the SUVs but it could get a new design for the alloy wheels. The rear end
sees two minor changes - new reprofiled LED tail lamps and ‘Tiguan’ spelt
across the tailgate in bold lettering. At the rear, this test mule can also be
seen sporting the 4MOTION badge. This means it could be powered by the larger
190 hp 2.0L TSI turbo-petrol engine with all-wheel drive system. The pre-facelift
model that was sold in India was powered by a smaller 150 hp 1.5L TSI engine in
front-wheel drive configuration. The engine will likely come mated to a 7-speed
DSG transmission.
The interiors of the Tiguan facelift have
also been spied in this sighting. The dashboard design actually remains more or
less identical to the pre-facelift car. However, there are a few notable
changes which include the new 3-spoke steering wheel with touch-based controls,
updated climate control interface with touch controls, and a digital instrument
display. Other features like the panoramic sunroof, cruise control, powered
front seats, tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and auto headlamps and
wipers will be retained from the pre-facelift car.
Volkswagen had said this new SUV will
actually arrive before the Taigun makes its market debut. That means we could
be looking at a mid-2021 launch. It remains to be seen if Volkswagen decides to
locally assemble the Tiguan this time or it continues to be come in as an
import. It will certainly be positioned below the Tiguan AllSpace in India. The
Tiguan will lock horns with the Skoda Karoq, Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson, and
the Citroen C5 Aircross.
