2022 VW Taigo Spied Undisguised Ahead Of Its Impending Debut

Volkswagen introduced the Nivus in South America last year and confirmed it would be headed to Europe this summer as the Taigo.

With a debut right around the corner, Volkswagen has been testing undisguised prototypes. Spy photographers snapped a green prototype last month and now they’ve caught a red variant undergoing testing in mountainous terrain.

Of course, there isn’t much to see as the Euro-spec model appears identical to its South American counterpart. As a result, the Taigo has a wide mesh grille which sits between standard LED headlights. They’re joined by plastic body cladding and a gently sloping roof. Other highlights include an angular rear window, full-width taillights and a relatively plain rear bumper.

Also Read: 2021 VW Nivus Debuts In South America As Brand’s Smallest Crossover Coupe

While the model resembles a crossover-ifed hatchback, Volkswagen is billing the Taigo as a sporty crossover coupe with a “charismatic design.” We’ll let you be the judge about that, but Volkswagen has previously said the model will have a “multitude of assistance systems and state-of-the-art connectivity.” Highlights are set to include a digital instrument cluster, a “modern operating concept” and a range of economical TSI engines.

The latter are the biggest mystery, but the South American Nivus has a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder that produces 114 hp (85 kW / 116 PS) when running on petrol. It’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission, which sends power exclusively to the front wheels.

The Taigo will be built in Pamplona, Spain and is set to be launched late this year.