Volkswagen has introduced a new SUV for the Chinese
market where the spacious vehicles get a certain nod among the discerning
customers. Global automakers have been developing China-specific models over
the years and the strategy has worked a treat, as long-wheelbase versions
compared to the rest of the world have been a huge hit across the board.
The German manufacturer has utilised the expandable
portfolio of its Volkswagen Group models and unveiled a new SUV christened as
Tharu. It is the road-going version of the VW Powerful Family SUV concept that
made its world premiere in March. The Tharu can be described as
a rebadged version of the Skoda’s successful Karoq – the smallest SUV currently
available from the Czech brand.
The Volkswagen Tharu will go on sale in the next
quarter of this year in China and it has an exterior presence similar to the
Teramont SUV which is indeed called as Atlas in the People’s Republic. Ahead of
the arrival, its official images have been leaked online. It measures 4,453 mm
long, 1,841 mm wide and 1,632 mm tall and features a wheelbase of 2,688 mm. Comparitively,
the Tharu SUV is 71 mm longer, 27 mm wider and has 50 mm more wheelbase than
the Karoq. It comes powered by a couple of fuel-efficient turbocharged small
capacity engine options.
They are 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre units good enough
to generate a maximum power output of 116 horsepower and 150 horsepower
respectively. With no manual gearbox on offer, the Tharu can be had
with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The compact SUV is
expected to make official debut in the coming months and will be manufactured
under the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint venture that is already responsible for the
latest Grand Lavida. Volkswagen could observe its market response in China and
introduce the model in South American markets as well.
