Volkswagen has released official images of their new
China-only Tharu SUV. The Tharu is manufactured by Shanghai-Volkswagen. The
Volkswagen Taru is the production version of the Volkswagen Powerful Family
SUV, a semi-concept that was shown in March.
It stands on the same platform as the Skoda Karoq.
The Tharu and the Karoq are manufactured in China by the Shanghai-Volkswagen
joint venture.
The Tharu will hit the Chinese car market this
quarter, price will start around 140.000 yuan (US$ 22.000). Engines are 116 hp 1.2
turbo and a 150 hp 1.4 turbo, both mated to a seven-speed DCT. Design is nice
but it looks a tad too much like a mini Teramont. Big wheels do it a lot of
good.
The Tharu’s main task is to attract a younger
audience to the Volkswagen brand. For that is to work is will need a proper
2018-style infotainment system, which is clearly Volkswagen’s weak point. Their
current infotainment stuff looks like it was developed in 2006 or so.
