Tiguan News Thread (spyshots, test drives, specs & VW PRs) [update1]

[phaeton]

Next year marks 70 years of production at the Wolfsburg plant and also marks one of the most important years for the peoples car brand it will be one of the biggest years in the brands history.


With the new Polo, Golf and the Gol NF family that will sprawn a multitude of variants and sell worldwide as the entry level VW replacing the Fox and Gol.
Also the Tiguan will be one of the most crucial of the new model launches.
As you may notice Small Soft Roaders have grown in popularity especially in US and Aust.

The guys at Motor Trend have Driven the Tiguan in TSI 150hp variant

See here (includes pics of Interior )http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...kswagen_tiguan

[phaeton]

Gallery http://www.motortrend.com/phot...llery/

Difference between "Track & Field" and "Sport & Style"


First two Tiguans have "Track & Field" package last Tiguan has "Sport & Style"

[brackie]

Tough market

It's a very competitive market worldwide for manufacturers of soft-roaders. VW will struggle to sell against the Koreans and the Japanese who can package much more cheaply. I reckon the diesel will be a desireable option for some, however the Land Rover Freelander comes with a diesel option and it doesn't exactly sell well (at least not here in Tassie).

I hope we see the VW offering in 2008.

[phaeton]

It's a very competitive market worldwide for manufacturers of soft-roaders. VW will struggle to sell against the Koreans and the Japanese who can package much more cheaply. I reckon the diesel will be a desireable option for some, however the Land Rover Freelander comes with a diesel option and it doesn't exactly sell well (at least not here in Tassie).

I hope we see the VW offering in 2008.

I think opposite I think VW will do rather well

I expect it here late 4th Qtr 2008 or Early 2009 if demand outstrips production

[gldgti]

whats the deal with people buying these vehicles anyway?

21mpg? thats archaic! i think selling this in a petrol version is evil. if you could ONLY get the track and field package, and only have choice of diesel or TSI, i might think its ok.... as it is, i dont understand the logic behind these things.

(sighs grumpily)

why do people have to drive on the beach anyway?

[phaeton]

whats the deal with people buying these vehicles anyway?

21mpg? thats archaic! i think selling this in a petrol version is evil. if you could ONLY get the track and field package, and only have choice of diesel or TSI, i might think its ok.... as it is, i dont understand the logic behind these things.

(sighs grumpily)

why do people have to drive on the beach anyway?

LOL what a whinge

Versatility over other vehicles and Offroading Image.

Petrol over Diesel is because some like the refinement of Petrol over Diesel.

The 2 packages (like MBs ML Class) are great IMO, lets face it not everyone goes offroad

21MPG thats basically guesswork from the writer on the 2.0TFSI engine

Driving on the Beach is fun (provided we don't destroy Mother Nature)

[KI11Z]

Why do the badges look horribley close to Hyundai's?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!! OMFG, thats shocking. . . . and too be honest its styled like one too . . .

[brackie]

Badge incognito

A lot of manaufacturers use false badges when testing a new model on public roads. I reckon it'll be replaced by the one we know and love very soon.

Ben and Ayden......Cool it. Diametrically opposed views are OK but we must remember where we are.

[phaeton]

Ben and Ayden......Cool it. Diametrically opposed views are OK but we must remember where we are.

Whoops I was jokingly arguing apologies, nothing against Ayden

[gldgti]

no offense taken either, its no worries mate...

i was just having my little green whinge - hahaha

[phaeton]

no offense taken either, its no worries mate...

i was just having my little green whinge - hahaha

LOL I know

Cheers

ps Tiguan due to be unveiled this month

[phaeton]

Official PR from VW

The New Tiguan - Acceptance Drive in Namibia

Trial Phase completed with a last hard test

Wolfsburg, 05 June 2007 - Tiguan comes with a completely new generation radio and navigation system

The first SUV worldwide with Park Assist

Offroad Mode activates an armada of assistance systems at the touch of a switch

Chassis layout enables high reserves of agility and safety


Volkswagen will complete the development phase of the new Tiguan with a final extreme test in Namibia. During the final acceptance drive on the African continent, the electronic components and chassis of the new SUV are the primary focus of testing. Considering the electronics, a technical highlight on board the Tiguan is of special interest for the testers: the completely new generation radio and navigation system. This was developed in close cooperation with the most important local Volkswagen operations in Europe, Asia and America. Worldwide development collaboration made it possible for a wider than ever pool of specialized know-how, and also the requirements of all markets, to influence the devices. The top system of the new line, with the designation RNS 510, has a 30 GB hard disk and is controlled with a touch screen. A rear-view camera enables a view behind in this case.

Completely new electronic systems also simplify offroad driving in the Tiguan. The particularly agile and dynamic SUV uses an innovative network of assistance systems with the name of “Offroad Mode”. Just on touch of a switch activates a whole armada of safety features, supporting the driver in a multitude of situations.


THE TIGUAN VERSIONS

Innovation - All engines of the Tiguan are charged.
18 and 28 degrees: Two front ends with different entry angles.

Five motors. All of the engine and body versions of the Tiguan have to “swallow” the dust of Namibia in this final test. Volkswagen will be offering the SUV – and this is unique so far – exclusively with charged engines. The TSIs (gasoline) output 110 kW / 150 PS, 125 kW / 170 and 147 kW / 200 PS; and the TDIs (diesel) develop 103 kW / 140 PS and 125 kW / 170 PS.

Two front ends. The two body variants of the Tiguan differ primarily in their front ends. The “Trend & Fun” and “Sport & Style” versions are designed for a maximum entry angle of 18 degrees in front. The “Track & Field” Tiguan that is tuned even more for offroad duty can assume entry angles of up to 28 degrees with its front end.

During the testing program in Africa, as however already mentioned, the emphasis is less on engines and entry angles than on final checking of the electronics and chassis.


THE TIGUAN CHASSIS

Front axle: McPherson system with aluminum support frame.
Rear axle: Innovative four-link rear axle is ideally matched to the four-wheel drive system 4MOTION.

Long before the first prototype was built, it had been decided that the new Tiguan should be an extremely actively driving and safe SUV. The development team pulled out all the stops to achieve this goal. The Tiguan now has to demonstrate in Africa that it achieves neutral to lightly understeering handling and an unusually low roll angle. Furthermore, the road holes along the edge of the Namib Desert should once more test how well the highly dynamic driving characteristics and excellent ride comfort interact under the hardest conditions. Because the demands on the car were clearly stated in the specification - to set benchmarks in dynamics, comfort and active safety. These goals were foremost in chassis development:

-Agile driving behavior

-Very good vibration behavior and ride comfort

-Low roll angle with harmonic roll dynamics

-High driving dynamic stability

-Good Offroad handling

Front axle. The demands are achieved with a chassis layout that sets standards in this class: at the front end, the Tiguan has a McPherson axle specially optimized for the SUV with lower A-arm steering linkage and the wheels hung from damper struts. The axle is located with a one-piece aluminum sub frame.

Rear axle. The four-link rear axle has also been adapted to best suit the permanent four-wheel drive system 4MOTION. The four-link rear axle of the Tiguan is specially intended for this combination. The extremely robust, but at the same time dynamically laid out axle geometry has already proved itself in the Passat 4MOTION. However, to cope with the stresses of offroad driving, the Tiguan has an entirely newly developed and weight-optimized high-strength steel sub frame instead of the equivalent aluminum component.

The rear axle of the front-wheel drive Tiguan has been modified correspondingly. Items no longer found on board include: Cardan shaft, rear final drive and drive shafts. But the sub frame is utilized in both drive variants. The innovative modular system of this rear axle has a decidedly positive effect on costs.

For the rear axle, newly developed shock absorbers were developed with increased oil volume; a favorable temperature level makes the absorbers well equipped for even the toughest offroad use. Like the front damper struts, also newly developed, both components provide for exceptionally good ride comfort properties.

A new generation of steering. A technological highlight in the indirect chassis area is the completely new generation of electromechanical power steering. A decisive advantage of the system: Despite the very precise steering feeling, even in offroad operation no jolts whatsoever are transmitted to the steering wheel. Primarily responsible for this is a newly constructed steering gear.

Wheels and tires. Providing contact to the road or trail on the base versions of the Tiguan are 16-inch wheels with 215/65 R16 tires. The “Sport & Style” Tiguan also has as standard 17-inch alloy wheels and 235/55 R17 tires. 18-inch wheels with tires in 235/50 R18 format are available as special equipment.


TIGUAN ELECTRONICS

Innovation First Volkswagen with a new generation radio and navigation system.
Safety at the press of a button - offroad switch activates network of assistance systems.

Also in the area of electronics, the Tiguan was designed to set new standards in the compact SUV class. Typical of Volkswagen is the high standard it sets for making the interface to the driver as comfortable as possible. An example of this on the Tiguan is a newly designed radio and navigation system generation. The software and hardware of this new system fulfill the highest demands for operation, sound and the multitude of functions offered.

The RNS 510 A glance at the top device – a radio navigation system with the designation RNS 510, emphasizes this impressively. The RNS 510 is controlled using fixed menu buttons, two knobs and a touch screen for the numerous information, entertainment and system functions. In this case a rear-view camera eases the view behind, a standard fitting.

The hardware of the RNS 510 includes a 6.5” wide VGA color display with 800 X 480 pixels and outstanding brilliance. A power PC processor with 400 MHz and its own graphic processor enable fast computing. The navigation and entertainment data are saved on a 30 GB hard disk. It is also possible to incorporate accessories into the RNS 510 like the telephone control, an iPod and other MP3 players. Combination with a Dynaudio sound system is also possible.

Offroad navigation A further innovation of the RNS 510 is a specially developed offroad navigation system. This mode makes it possible to record up to 500 route points during a journey, even in non-digitized areas. This allows the driver to find his or her way back from offroad adventures into any desert or steppe. In edit mode, the driver can modify the route as desired. A glance at the map in the RNS 510 display offers the required orientation.

Park Assist The further countless high-end technologies on board the Tiguan include the world’s first park steering assistant to be installed in a SUV. This is called Park Assist and enables automatic steering into a parking space.

Offroad Mode The core capability of a SUV – offroad function – will also be dealt with and perfected electronically in the new Tiguan. And this through just one switch, which activates the Offroad Mode. This will be offered exclusively on the Tiguan “Track & Field” and will improve offroad vehicle handling significantly. The initial idea behind the “Offroad Mode” was that all key offroad support functions should be activated by a central user control. Specifically, one switch activates the “hill descent assistant” (for optimal control on slopes), “adaptation of driver’s pedal characteristic” (for finer gradations of torque), “EDS adaptation” (electronic differential locks are activated at the slightest slip), “ABS adaptation” (improved braking action on loose road materials), “hill climb assist” (support when climbing and protection of the clutch) and – in conjunction with automatic transmission – “gear preselect” (including optimal engine braking action). These numerous functions involve up to five ECUs that manage the systems.

The pushbutton itself is connected to the engine controller. From there, the information “Offroad Mode active” is communicated to other ECUs via the vehicle’s CAN bus. For safety reasons, the function has to be reactivated after each ignition cycle.

Just how “intelligently” the electronics react is demonstrated by considering an offroad driving situation that is not all that uncommon : An engine stall can even happen to professional drivers offroad. This deactivates the Offroad Mode, and assistance systems are turned off. But the electronics of the Tiguan detects this as a “stall” and when the engine is restarted all offroad assistance systems are up and running again immediately.

[KI11Z]

nicer pics!

[KI11Z]

[ATTACH]658[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]659[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]660[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]661[/ATTACH]

[rayray086]

Whoa @ the tyres. The paint scheme and overall design in those pics remind me of the Iroc Concept...