Volkswagen is putting the finishing
touches on the 2021 Tiguan as a prototype has been spied virtually undisguised.
Looking far more aggressive than the current model, this facelifted prorotype
has apparently been equipped with the R-Line package. As a result, it has a
sporty front bumper with a large air intake that spans nearly the entire width
of the vehicle. It also features C-shaped accents and a splitter with chrome
trim.
The bumper isn’t the only change as we can
see a revised grille with slimmer bars and a wider lower opening that curves up
at the outside edges. The headlights are also new and they now flow into the
grille. While the sides carryover, there are a handful of updates out back. The
biggest change is a set of LED taillights that now feature boomerang- and
cross-shaped accents. Below, there’s a modified rear bumper with a simulated
four-tailpipe exhaust system.
Spy photographers haven’t gotten close
enough to snap interior pictures, but we can expect minor changes including
revised upholstery and, possibility, an updated infotainment system. Engine
options are a tad mysterious, but a handful could be borrowed from the Golf
Mk8. Besides the mainstream engine lineup, there will also be a plug-in hybrid
variant and a high-performance R model.
The eco-friendly version was spied last
week and it’s expected to have a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine,
an electric motor and a 13 kWh lithium-ion battery. This setup should give the
crossover a combined output of approximately 242 hp. More
importantly, the model could have an electric-only range of around 48
km.
The Tiguan R, on the other hand, is
expected to have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with up to 328 hp. It should be paired to a dual-clutch transmission and a standard
all-wheel drive system. The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan is set to be unveiled later
this year, but there’s no word on specific timing at this point.
