GTI power for new Volkswagen Tiguan
WITH the world’s vehicle buying public leaning more and more towards SUVs, it makes sense that a company like Volkswagen, which is renowned for its performance hatchbacks, also adds a fair amount of spice to its SUV line-up.
While we’ve already seen the firstever R version of the Tiguan, which shares its 235kW heart with the new Golf R, the company has just revealed another high-performance SUV variant, which will slot between the regular Tiguan models and the R.
The new Tiguan 245 PS 4Motion, as it is badged in Europe, borrows its 2-litre turbopetrol engine from the eighth-generation Golf GTI. The motor produces 180kW (which is 245 PS - the German word for horsepower, hence the badging) and 370Nm. And this is enough, according to VW, to propel the semi-hot SUV from 0-100km/h in six seconds flat and on to a top speed of 228km/h.
In keeping with its performance aspirations, the 180kW Tiguan TSI is available exclusively with the R Line specification grade, which brings a number of sporty interior and exterior embellishments to the party.
VW is also offering a 190 PS 4Motion model, which is powered by the 140kW version of the company’s 2-litre turbopetrol engine and this one is no slouch either, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.4 seconds.
But will either of the new 2-litre, 4Motion all-wheel drive models be sold in South Africa?
The facelifted Tiguan range is set to be launched locally during the second quarter of 2021 and the engine line-up has yet to be confirmed. However an announcement in that regard will be made soon, a contact at VWSA confirmed. Watch this space for more information on the local range as it becomes available.