Volkswagen has confirmed plans for a “family of new Tiguan” models following the success of the first-generation model, which sold over 2.6 million units worldwide since its introduction in 2007, according to the German car maker.
Speaking at the first media drives of the new Tiguan in Sweden this week, Jochen Boehle, head of product development for VW’s compact car line-up, confirmed development was progressing on up to three Tiguan models.
Included among the second-generation line-up is the standard wheelbase model first unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show last year and planned to go on sale in the UK in May.
It will be joined in 2017 by a new long-wheelbase model with up to seven seats as well as style-led coupé variant planned to reach showrooms in 2018. All three new Tiguan models are based on Volkswagen’s MQB A2 platform and will come with the choice of either front- or four-wheel drive.
The standard model and new coupé variant share the same 2681mm wheelbase, while the upcoming long-wheelbase model is set to adopt a 2791mm wheelbase. “We are planning to introduce a whole family of Tiguan models in coming years,” Boehle said, adding, “Tiguan has developed into a sub-brand, and we intend to build on it”.
Boehle confirmed to Autocar Volkswagen originally planned just two Tiguan models in the form of the standard- and long-wheelbase models. The long-wheelbase variant will be built in China and Mexico, and as yet there's no confirmation that it will come to the UK.
“The Coupé was not originally on the plan. It came later,” he said. Among the keen supporters for the new style led coupe model is Volkswagen’s newly installed brand chairman, Herbert Diess. “Mr Diess is pushing the Tiguan coupe project,” said Boehle.
While Boehle denied there were plans for an R variant of the standard Tiguan model, he indicated it could form part of the new coupé range, as reported by Autocar last year.
Plans to extend the Tiguan line-up beyond the single model offered in the first-generation have provided the basis for both Skoda and Seat SUV models in the form of the upcoming Kodiaq and Ateca.
The three Tiguan models will be joined by a production version of the CrossBlue concept.
The production version CrossBlue, which stretches to over 5000mm in length and seats seven, will be produced at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant in the US. It is based on the so-called MQB B platform, which underpins the Passat. It is not planned to be sold in Europe, but will reach the US, China and other selected markets.
Il nuovo capo dello sviluppo delle vetture compatte del gruppo Vw ha confermato che la Tiguan II sarà una famiglia di veicoli.
Già nota era la Tiguan a 7 posti con passo allungato che avrà un passo di 2,79 metri, sarà venduta principalmente in Cina e Nord America, invece per la prima volta viene confermata una Tiguan coupe'.
Poveri noi
La prima versione della Tiguan e' stata un trionfo per Vw con vendite inizialmente previste a 150.000 unità con un risultato oltre a 500.000 unità nel 2014 e nel 2015 pur con risultati molto modesti in Nord America.
Devono migliorare ancora le vendite per sfidare seriamente Ford Kuga/Edge, Toyota Rav4 e Honda CRV.