Tiguan: Volkswagen’s first Compact Sports Utility Vehicle arrives at Ali & Sons Volkswagen Showrooms in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
Volkswagen Abu Dhabi represented by Ali & Sons Motors, Volkswagen’s sole agent in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, unveiled its new and much anticipated Sports Utility Vehicle, the Tiguan, during a special launch at the VW Corniche Showroom yesterday.
The Tiguan is a compact crossover SUV which received a five-star safety rating after being tested by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).
Ali & Sons Volkswagen Brand Manager Ammar Al Johmani said that Tiguan is Volkswagen’s biggest launch for the region this year.
“It is the first time Volkswagen has entered the compact Sports Utility Vehicle segment which makes this a very special launch for us,” he said. “So far the Tiguan has attracted an enormous amount of interest worldwide and we’re confident it will generate the same in this region.”
One of the main characteristic of the Tiguan is its versatility. It is recommended for drivers who enjoy the individual appearance and flexibility of a SUV, but also expect a premium level of comfort, agility and variability.
The chassis of the Tiguan sets new standards in the world of SUVs as it is extremely driving-active and safe. For the first time on the global SUV market all engines are charged without exception, which deliver powerful propulsion just above the idling speed.
Upon request, the Tiguan can be parked nearly automatically in the urban jungle by the Park Assist feature. Off-road, on the other hand, the latest radio-navigation system (RNS 510) navigates its occupants back to civilisation using its off-road function.
The Tiguan is now available at the Ali & Sons Volkswagen showrooms in Abu Dhabi & Al Ain, where they can also be taken for test drives.
Design & Dimension
Front end – A typical, trusted, friendly Volkswagen, however everything is new, everything is different. The headlights are distinctive; they form an integral unit with the grille and bumper. The engine hood is cut into the contour of the headlamps and lends a very concentrated look to the car’s face. Shaped to be broad and powerful is the bumper beneath the headlamps, and on the sides the fog lamps in their distinctive frame complete this image.
The actual character of the front end, however, is generated by the interplay of all design characteristics. And in the process the 1.81 metre wide and 1.67 metre tall Tiguan exhibits a clarity of form and proportion that make the approx. 4.43 metre long SUV stand out distinctively from the crowd in the big city jungle. The front end of the Tiguan Track & Field – specially designed for uncompromising off-road duty – takes up a special position in achieving the greatest possible entry angle (28 instead of 18 degrees). It does not have the pronounced front spoiler with matching air inlets that is found on the Tiguan Sport & Style. Rather, here a distinctive integrated engine underbody protection plate extends diagonally from a line between the tires up to the radiator grille.
Side profile - In its side profile clarity and power dominate the forms. It is these two characteristics that form the unique wheel arches, a window line that rises from front to back, the door and fender surfaces designed with strong modulation, as well as new, unmistakable C pillars.
Rear end - The basic layout of the taillights follow the patterns of the Eos and the Passat Variant and are part of the powerful shoulder section, however, the overall design takes new paths. The steep tailgate extends far into the bumper and is part of a design and the classic pure SUV elements are combined with contemporary urban forms.
Body
For the first time in the SUV segment, buyers of the new Tiguan can choose from two different front ends. The equipment version Sport & Style was designed specifically for mostly on-road duty. It reflects precisely this goal in its classic front end with maximum entry angle of 18 degrees.
They leave tough off-road duty to the Tiguan Track & Field. It was designed especially for life outside of the paved trails. Different than its counterparts for the “urban jungle” this particularly adventure-friendly version exhibits a more extreme entry angle of 28 degrees in front. The lower bumper area and engine underbody protection therefore exhibit a very steep angular profile. This is precisely why the vehicle can climb a ramp or level embankment up to the specified 28 degrees without the front end of the Tiguan contacting this ramp when approaching from the horizontal.
Torsional rigidity - In the structural layout of the body the primary focus was on two aspects: optimal comfort and safety. The characteristic values of 45 Hertz each for static and dynamic torsional rigidity influence parameters such as driving dynamics, vibration behavior and acoustics in an extremely positive way. Even in tough off-road duty no torsional twisting whatsoever is detectable on the body.
Roof carrier and trailer load - Both the Tiguan Sport & Style and the Tiguan Track & Field equipment lines offer standard roof rails; it can be loaded with up to 100 kilograms payload. Far greater transportation tasks can be mastered with the swiveling trailer towing unit. If necessary, the Tiguan can pull a maximum of 2,500 kilograms (braked trailer at 12 percent incline) from its hitch, putting it in sole position at the top of its vehicle segment.
Interior
The Tiguan is an all-around talent. This charterisation not only describes its powertrains properties, but also the multi-variable and very spacious interior. At all five seating positions on board the Tiguan occupants are equally comfortable. The rear bench can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction and has an asymmetrically split folding section which can allow objects up to 2.5 metres in length to fit inside the Tiguan.
Cockpit and instrument panel - The instruments with their high-end visual and tactile quality are clearly arranged. Integrated at the top, within the optimal viewing field of driver and front passenger, is the new generation of radio and navigation system. Main functions are controlled by keys and knobs, while sub-functions are controlled via a touchscreen. Just to the right and left of the audio system are two air vents each. The entire unit is encased by a high quality frame that has a stainless steel appearance.
Located at the next level down is the standard semi-automatic climate control system known as “Climatic”. Ergonomically designed switches for window lifts and mirror adjustment are also easy to reach in the upper area of the driver’s door.
Front seats - The seating system in the Tiguan is available in two configurations, depending on the equipment line. With the Tiguan Sport & Style equipment line the seats are – true to the line’s name – “Sport seats” with integrated adjustable lumbar support. Meanwhile, the Tiguan Track & Field is equipped with “Comfort seats”, each with adjustable lumbar support.
Rear seats - The three-part rear seating system is a bench split in a 60:40 ratio; in addition the centre section of the seatback can be folded down to be used as a centre arm rest, drink holder or cargo pass-through. The individual seat elements can also be adjusted by 16 centimetres in the longitudinal direction. Independent of this adjustment, the rear seatbacks can be adjusted over a reclining range of 23 degrees.
Cargo area - Neat, variable, functional and level – these are key words that accurately describe the cargo area of the Tiguan. With five persons on board it already stows 470 litres. Up to 1,510 litres and 650 kilograms payload can be stowed in the Tiguan when the rear seats are folded down. This moves it right next to genuine mid-class station wagons. Chrome-plated tie-down eyes, shopping bag hooks, a 12-Volt accessory plug and other functional elements make this a truly multivariable cargo area. A net partition also provides for safety when loaded to ceiling height.
Engines & Transmissions
The Tiguan is the first SUV in the world to arrive on the market exclusively with charged TSI engines. The advantage: Greater power and torque, better fuel economy and lower emissions. Two TSI four cylinder engines are offered in the Middle East, these are a 125 kW / 170 PS and a 147 kW / 200 PS engine.
TSI with 125 kW / 170 PS – With the Tiguan a newly developed TSI engine is being introduced with 125 kW / 170 PS. The two-litre direct injection turbocharged engine accelerates the Tiguan to 100 km/h in just 8.2 seconds. Its top speed is 200 km/h, and maximum torque is 280 Newton-metre (at 1,800 rpm). On average, the Tiguan TSI with 125 kW consumes 9.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.
TSI with 147 kW / 200 PS - The strongest engine on the new Tiguan will be the 147 kW / 200 PS version of the 2.0 TSI. Although its performance data match those of the engine used in cars like the Golf GTI, the engine used here represents a new generation. In this case, the maximum torque of 280 Newton-metre that is already available at 1,700 rpm remains constant up to 5,000 rpm. After just 7.6 seconds the most powerful Tiguan is moving at 100 km/h; and the forward propulsion does not end until 211 km/h. Average fuel consumption is identical to that of the 170 PS version at 9.1 litres.
All Tiguans are delivered with six-speed transmissions as standard equipment. As an option, both engines (170 PS and 200 PS) may be ordered with a six-speed automatic. Both transmissions fulfill special off-road requirements. The manual transmission can be driven at an engine speed of 1,000 rpm or vehicle speed of just 6.69 km/h, for example; this practically equals the crawler gear of a reduction gearbox. The automatic transmission has gear level preselect; in off-road use it prevents shifting to the next higher gear.
4MOTION
An important design property of the 4MOTION systems is the very quick reacting Haldex clutch. The latest version of this technology operates on the Tiguan. The defined development goal was an all-wheel drive that satisfies the highest standards for driving dynamics and driving safety on the road, while simultaneously offering optimal traction off the paved trails. In practice, this means hardly any perceptible additional fuel consumption, no effects on the engine and no running noises.
4MOTION details - The multi-plate clutch system was integrated in the rear axle drive of the Tiguan. As soon as speed differences develop between the front and rear axles and the clutch detects slip at the front axle, more engine torque is applied to the rear axle. Normally, 90 percent of the propulsive force is to the front wheels and ten percent to the rear. In extreme cases, however, nearly 100 percent can be transferred to the rear axle.
Chassis
The top priorities for the chassis development of the Tiguan were agile handling properties, a high level of vibration and rolling comfort, low roll angle with harmonious roll dynamics, very good driving stability and yet optimal off-road driving ability. The development team pulled out all stops to attain these objectives. The results: Neutral to slightly understeering handling and exceptionally low roll angle. This goal was achieved with a chassis layout that actually sets new standards with regard to driving dynamics, active safety and convenience.
Front axle - Used in front of the Tiguan is a McPherson suspension specially tuned for the SUV with lower wishbones and wheel-locating struts. It is mounted on a one-piece aluminum subframe.
Rear axle - The four-link rear suspension was tuned for the full-time 4MOTION all-wheel drive. With regard to tough off-road duty, the Tiguan utilises a frame made of high-strength steels. For the rear suspension newly developed shock absorbers were also developed with increased oil volume; the favorable temperature level makes the shock absorbers fit for even the toughest off-road drives.
Steering - One technological highlight is the completely redeveloped next generation of electro-mechanical power steering. The decisive advantage of the system is not only the very precise steering feel but also no kickback pulses whatsoever are transmitted to the steering unit, even in off-road operation. This is primarily due to a newly constructed steering gear.
Wheels and tires - Handling the contact to the road or trail in the Track & Field version of the Tiguan are 16-inch wheels with size 215/65 R16 tires. The Tiguan Sport & Style gets standard 17-inch alloy wheels and size 235/55 R17 tires.
Special Equipment Options
Park Assist - The numerous high-end technologies of the Tiguan include the first Park Steering Assistant implemented in a SUV in the world. The Park Assist function enables automatic backing into a parking space parallel to the roadway. The driver just actuates the gas pedal, brake and clutch; the Tiguan meanwhile steers into the pre-measured space under sensor control. As soon as the driver manually intervenes in the steering process, the Park Assist function is deactivated.
Radio and navigation systems - The Tiguan is being offered with a completely new radio and navigation system. The RCD 510 radio (including 6-disk CD changer) and RNS 510 radio-navigation system are controlled in part via a touchscreen (6.5 inch). Also part of the RNS 510 hardware is a Power-PC processor running at 400 MHz and a dedicated graphics processor. The navigation and entertainment data are saved on a 30 gigabyte hard drive. Another SD card slot (including for MP3 files) is located below the display on both devices.
Off-road navigation - One innovation of the RNS 510 is its specially developed off-road navigation mode. In this mode, up to 500 waypoints can be stored while driving in non-digitalized areas. That is how drivers can find their way back from any off-road adventure. The tours can be automatically recorded by manually saving of waypoints or automatically (Track function).
Rearview camera - Another standard component of the RNS 510 radio-navigation system is the rearview camera. It is located directly above the license plate, and it transmits a real-time distortion-free image to the display of the RNS 510. The route is also shown in the display, as on the Touareg, utilising orientation lines corresponding to the specific steering wheel movement.
Dynaudio sound system – The collaboration between Volkswagen and the Danish loudspeaker manufacturer Dynaudio demonstrates how impressively high-end sound can perform in a car. As a special equipment option, eight loudspeakers (acoustic power: 300 Watts) – together with a RCD 300, RCD 510 or RNS 510 radio and navigation unit - transform the Tiguan into a driving concert hall.
Panorama sunroof - More light, more viewing, more sun. With its enormous Panorama Sunroof (PSD) the Tiguan offers 300 percent greater roof cutout area than a conventional Golf sunroof. Despite all of this, it was possible to achieve the rigidity values of the closed variant, which are especially important for a SUV.
