Petrol models join Tiguan ranks

Volkswagen is aiming for a larger share of the compact SUV segment with its Tiguan range, now that there are petrol variants available and the Wolfsburg factory is getting its act together.

To date, the diesel-engined Tiguan has sold in comparatively small numbers since its local launch earlier this year, but that has been due to constrained supply, rather than lack of acceptance from Aussie buyers.

For the year to date, the Tiguan has accounted for just one per cent of the compact SUV market segment, but that's still better than what might have been. Originally, the Australian market was allocated just 750 units for the first year. Those have all been sold and, with additional volume sourced, the company has sold 1100 in total for 2008, with one month remaining. The importer has also secured another 1100 units from the factory, with production commencing this month and the first shipment arriving February of next year.

Volkswagen's General Manager for Marketing, Peter Dierks, introducing the new 'TSI' variants to the media for the local launch, admits that he's looking forward to the Tiguan becoming a larger player in the VFACTS compact SUV segment as Volkswagen resolves those supply issues dogging the new model.

During his presentation, Dierks outlined to the media a short-list of compact SUVs with which the Tiguan will compete -- as well as a broader selection.

"The Tiguan is the first premium European compact SUV offered here in the Australian market and it will compete against -- specifically -- the Japanese," he said.

"The key competitor set is being offered by Japanese brands, like the Honda CR-V, the RAV4 from Toyota, the [Subaru] Forester and the [Nissan] X-TRAIL. And of course, there [are many] more secondary competitors, like the CX-7 from Mazda, the [Hyundai] Santa Fe, [Land Rover] Freelander -- and some others.

"The whole segment is very, very competitive and, in total, 20 different models are competing in this segment, which is the biggest SUV segment...

"It was one of the fastest growing segments last year."

That growth helps the four major players as much as the minors of course, with the CR-V, RAV4, Forester and X-TRAIL between them holding about 57 per cent share of the segment -- so to say that the Tiguan has hard yards ahead of it to pull in any one or more of those competitors would be an understatement.

Following the release of two 125kW petrol Tiguans and a 147kW variant, Volkswagen has bracketed the 103kW diesel models and buyers can now opt for either a lower-priced entry-level variant or a higher-priced flagship.

The turbodiesel models already on sale are priced at $35,990 for the six-speed manual or $38,290 with a six-speed automatic transmission. $2000 lower down the scale, the variants fitted with the 125kW engine are the new entry-level models -- $33,990 for the manual or $36,290 for the auto. At $42,990, the 147kW petrol variant now tops the range and is only available with the six-speed automatic transmission.

Although the peak power ratings are different, the two petrol engines, which are both turbocharged and deliver fuel by direct-injection method, develop 280Nm of torque. In the case of the 147kW engine, the torque peak occurs between 1700 and 5000rpm, whereas it occurs in a narrower band (1700-4200rpm) for the 125kW powerplant.

Both engines are Euro IV-compliant and the combined-cycle fuel consumption figures are 9.1L/100km (125kW manual) or 10.1L/100km (125kW auto and 147kW auto), in accordance with ADR81/01. CO2 emissions are 218g/km for the 125kW manual and 240g/km for the two automatic variants.

Transversely mounted, the Tiguan's engine drives through its transmission to a constant four-wheel drive system. This in turn passes torque to the MacPherson strut front end and the multi-link IRS system. Rack and pinion steering is electrically-assisted and prescribes a 12m turning circle. Brakes comprise ventilated disc rotors at the front and solid discs at the rear, with a full complement of electronic safety measures -- ABS/EBD, Brake Assist and stability control.

Trimmed to the same level as the 103kW (diesel) Tiguan, the 125kW petrol variants come equipped as standard with an 'Auto Hold' function, electronic parking brake, remote central locking, traction control, electronic differential lock, black roof rails, 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/65 R16 tyres, air conditioning, MP3-compatible CD audio system with steering-wheel-mounted controls, leather-bound steering wheel, leather-trimmed gearshift knob, electric heating for mirrors, electrically-adjustable mirrors, electric windows, trip computer, cloth-trimmed seats and front-and-rear 12V auxiliary power outlets.

Adding to that specification, the 147kW variant is fitted as standard with chrome trim around the windows, chrome roof rails, privacy glass for the rear, front fog lights, tyre-pressure monitor, dual-zone climate control, auto-on/off headlights, MP3-compatible six-disc CD audio system with touch screen, electro-chromatic mirror, reverse parking sensors with optical display for reversing camera, under-seat trays in the front, sports seats with alcantara appliqués, rain-sensing wipers and 17-inch alloys with 235/55 R17 tyres.

Volkswagen has compiled a comprehensive list of options for the Tiguan, including Park Assist -- a system that reverse-parks the car using a similar mode of operation to the system developed by Mercedes-Benz for the A-Class and B-Class models recently upgraded (more here and here ).

Like the MB feature, Volkswagen's Park Assist also employs ultrasonics to determine whether a parking space is large enough to accommodate the Tiguan (must be 1.4 metres longer than the Tiguan's overall length, with at least 70cm free at the front and another 70cm at the rear). For the ultrasonic detectors (located in the front bumper, just ahead of the front wheel arch) to scan the parking spot, the vehicle must be travelling no faster than 35km/h. If the driver allows the vehicle's speed to creep above 7km/h during the parking process, the system will self-cancel, automatically.

Volkswagen advises that Park Assist, which adds $1390 to the price of the base-grade Tiguan or $890 for the 147kW variant, will not self-cancel, should a child run across the path of the car as it's reversing. It's important therefore, that the driver maintains careful attention as the car is backing. The reason for the discrepancy between the pricing of the option for the low-spec car and the 147kW variant is due to the latter already being fitted with reversing camera and Park Distance Control sensors as standard.

To comment on this article click here