While in the US, Volkswagen is betting on the mid-size SUV previewed by the CrossBlue concept, in Europe, the German carmaker owes a significant chunk of its sales to the Golf-based Tiguan SUV. Expected to debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 2015, the second-generation VW Tiguan will have two distinct variants.
The standard wheelbase model will feature a similar wheelbase to the current model (2,605mm/102.5in), with room for five occupants inside. The second Tiguan model will have a longer wheelbase for added rear legroom and to accommodate a third row of seats for up to seven passengers. The seven-seat Tiguan is expected to debut at the Detroit Auto Show in 2016, according to engineering sources from VW cited by Autocar.
The seven-seater will be aimed primarily at customers from the US, Middle East and China, but will be sold in Europe as well as part of VW’s plan to position future models further upmarket.
The second-generation VW Tiguan will be based on VW’s MQB platform and will receive an extended range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The 4Motion all-wheel drive system will be optional for most models. Expect 1.4-, 1.8- and 2.0-liter petrol engines, and 1.6- and 2.0-liter diesels. VW is rumored to develop a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid as well.
By Dan Mihalascu
*Current Tiguan pictured
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