Volkswagen has launched two new SUVs in China. The
pair will hit the Chinese car market in Q4. They are based on the
short-wheelbase Volkswagen Tiguan. The names are a bit odd. The first new SUV
is called the “Powerful Family SUV”. Really. That’s the name of it. Whether
this is the definite name is yet unsure, but that is how it was introduced, and
that is what was on the license plates.
The Powerful Family SUV will be manufactured by
Shanghai-Volkswagen, the joint venture that also makes the long-wheelbase
Tiguan L (called Tiguan Allspace elsewehere).
The Powerful Family SUV will be positioned between
the Tiguan L and the larger Terramont. So you get less space for more money,
but you will get bigger engines and more luxury. Sadly however Volkswagen
didn’t reveal anything about power and neither did they show the interior.
The second car is a great looker. Stage name was the
“Advanced Midsize SUV”, a name only a company like Volkswagen can come up with.
The Advanced Midsize SUV will be manufactured by the FAW-Volkswagen joint
venture. It too will be positioned between the Tiguan L and the Terramont, but
it will be aimed at a younger and sportier audience.
Volkswagen didn’t say a word on engines but the Advanced
Midsize SUV did have a ‘380 TSI’ badge on the back, and that translates to the
220 hp variant of the 2.0 turbo. This engine is also available in the Tiguan L
and in the Terramont.
The new Volkswagen SUVs will have their public debut
on the Beijing Auto Show next month, and Volkswagen will likely use the
opportunity to reveal the real names.
