Tiguan range gets added power and traction
Four new engines and all-wheel drive boost the range to 7 models
VOLKSWAGEN South Africa has expanded its Tiguan range with four new engines. The SUV, until now sold only in frontwheel drive, also becomes available with 4Motion all-wheel drive for the first time in some derivatives.
At its launch last year the Tiguan was initially offered in two 1.4 TSI turbo petrol engines, tuned to produce respectively 92kW and 110kW. The range has now been bolstered with three new 2.0-litre turbodiesels as well as a new range-topper in the form of a 162kW 2-litre petrol.
At the bottom of the diesel range is the 81kW/280Nm, paired with front wheel drive and a six speed manual transmission, and this is the economy choice with its claimed fuel consumption of 5.2 litres per 100km.
The 2-litre four-cylinder engine is also available in more powerful 105kW/340Nm and 130kW/380Nm versions, both mated to 7-speed DSG automatic transmissions and 4Motion. They are respectively rated to sip 6.1 and 6.4 litres of diesel per 100km, and the diesel range-topper has a decent turn of speed too with its claimed 0-100km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds and 207km/h top speed.
For maximum vooma the new 2.0 TSI Highline petrol is the choice as it borrows the Golf GTI’s 162kW/350Nm turbo engine for a claimed 6.5 second 0-100 sprint and 220km/h flat out. It’s also paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive.
A stop-start system and battery regeneration assists the 2.0 TSI to sip a claimed 7.8 litres per 100km.
The 4Motion system enhances the Tiguan’s off-road capabilities by monitoring driving conditions and sending extra traction to the wheels with the most grip, via an interaxle Haldex differential between the front and rear axles. The differential works with the ABS brakes and stability control to ensure the best grip at all times, whether driving on gravel or tar.
The 4Motion versions get an added 10mm of ground clearance (up to 201mm) compared to front-wheel drive models, and the Tiguan can be optionally ordered with an Off-road package with a special front end that improves the approach angle from 18.3 to 25.6 degrees. The departure angle at the rear is 24.7 degrees for all versions.
New on this generation of Tiguan is the 4Motion Active Control, which allows the driver to activate one of four driving modes (road, snow, offroad and offroad individual) via a switch located on the centre console.
VW’s midsized SUV can also be customised with a raft of optional convenience features such as panoramic sunroof, electrically detachable towbar, LED-mid Headlights package, R-Line exterior package with 19-inch Sebring and 20-inch Suzuka alloy wheels, head-up display, parallel parking assistance with rear view camera, Active Info Display, 8-inch Discover Pro Radio with satellite navigation system, 6.5inch Radio/CD Composition Media (standard in 130kW and 162kW), adaptive cruise control with front assist, App-Connect, and an ambient light package (standard in 130kW and 162kW).
Still have some extra budget? Then tick off leather seats with electric adjustment, DynAudio Premium sound system, keyless locking and engine starting system, and an electric tailgate.
PRICES 1.4 TSI 92kW Trendline Manual R384 100 1.4 TSI 92kW Comfortline Manual R425 300 1.4 TSI 110kW Comfortline DSG R465 000 2.0 TDI 81kW Comfortline Manual R469 500 2.0 TDI 105kW Comfortline 4Motion DSG R523 800 2.0 TSI 162kW Highline 4Motion DSG R542 200 2.0 TDI 130kW Highline 4Motion DSG R549 500
Includes 5 year/90 000km Service Plan and 3 year/120 000km warranty.