The second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan has enjoyed a pretty successful life cycle, particularly last year where it sold a total of 910,926 units, making it the best-selling model in the VW line-up. First launched in 2015, the compact SUV is due for an update, and Volkswagen has given us an official first look via a design sketch.
There’s not much we can tell from a single sketch drenched in neon colours, but from the front, it seems like the new VW Tiguan will come with a new grille design and slimmer headlights, putting it in line with the brand’s latest offerings.
Speaking to Autocar, chief of marketing for the Tiguan Hendrick Muth said that the facelifted Tiguan will offer “a big change in terms of design, with a totally new front” that will give it a “more dynamic” appearance. The Tiguan will also feature LED headlights and taillights as standard, with the brand’s IQ.Light matrix LED headlight available as option.
Moving inside, Muth also confirmed that the new Tiguan will feature the latest “digital and connected technology”. We expect the dashboard to look and feel similar to the all-new eight-generation Golf, which we thought was almost like a smartphone on wheels. That means reduced physical knobs and buttons, and increased usage of touch pads, screens, and voice assistants.
The new Volkswagen Tiguan should also come equipped with the latest advanced driver assistance features as introduced on the Golf, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist at speeds of up to 210 km/h.
As for powertrain options, Volkswagen has announced together with the sketch that the new Tiguan will be offered with a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. The new powertrain option isn’t all too surprising, especially considering the more stringent European emissions standards set to kick-in next year. Volkswagen has also introduced a Tiguan GTE model, on sale in China since 2019.
There were also rumours of a “hot SUV” Tiguan R variant, since it was spotted testing at the Nurburgring recently. Although Muth would not comment directly on that prospect, he said that there will be “some highlights on the performance side.”
“It will come very soon after launch and early in the life cycle. Be prepared, and be excited,” Muth added.
Volkswagen recently launched the performance-oriented Touareg R, equipped with a PHEV powertrain generating 476 hp and 700 Nm of torque. If the Tiguan were to receive a performance model, it’s not unwise to expect a similar treatment.
The Volkswagen Tiguan facelift is expected to launch later this year.
