Volkswagen Tiguan: Rav 4 German
After a dramatic entry into the luxury SUV segment with the Touareg, Volkswagen is now stepping into the category of compact 4×4 with the highly anticipated Tiguan. The objective is clear and ambitious: to topple the Toyota Rav 4 from its pedestal.
4 years after the launch of the Touareg and a few months after restyling, Volkswagen attacks today with the compact SUV Tiguan. Suffice to say at once that the builder is almost one of the last because so many GPs are already registered in this market. To justify this delay, VW says that it is the renewal of the existing range was preferred.
Volkswagen Vision
After two concepts, Volkswagen unveils its vision of the SUV. A vehicle generally classical but whose purpose is primarily to provide shade to the reference segment, the Toyota Rav 4 but also compete with the BMW X3.
To achieve this challenge, Volkswagen plays the card of consensus. The name Tiguan was thus named by readers of a German magazine. This bias also explains the total absence of risk with regard to the general lines that we think are generally trivial.
Early in the marketing, only two engines (1.4 TSI 150 PS and 2.0 TDI 140 PS) will be the catalog. The Tiguan has the peculiarity of not possessing that turbocharged engines.
In essence, this is the 1.4 TSI 150 hp. If this engine we had won the overall Touran and the Golf , we were disappointed by his temperament on the Tiguan, apparently hit by the 1500 kg. It loses its charm including reversals and accelerations disappointing despite a torque of 240 Nm available from 1750 rpm. Some may even be overtaking difficult.
However, once started, nothing to say about his velocity. The performances are now fairly interesting with a maximum speed of 192 km / h and a 0 to 100 km shot in 9.2 seconds for an average consumption of 8.4 litres/100km announced. The sayings unaudited due course made insignificant.
Diesel, there is a classic: the 2.0 TDI 140 PS. So far nothing new, but it is actually a new engine. All the TDI group have been renewed since abandoned the injectors in favor of a common rail. The most striking result is the significant reduction of noise, one of the main criticisms that one could make against Wolfsburg diesel. For the rest, no change since the 2.0 TDI maintains his side always rough on the edge of violence. In return, thanks to its torque of 320 Nm available from 1750 rpm, it should be relatively well with the personality of the Tiguan. The times are about average with a top speed of 186 km / h and a 0 to 100 km / h.
If the Tiguan is sold with two engines, it will not be the case in other European countries where he will have other powers than either gasoline or diesel (1.4 TSI 170 and 200 bhp and 2.0 TDI 170 c.). Some should be landed in France in the coming months to compete including Rav 4 D-Cat 177 hp.
Unlike some SUVs, the Tiguan is available in two wheel drive. Equipped with the 4Motion system, is operated with permanent AWD torque distribution varies according to use and the field. In normal times, 90% of torque is transmitted to the front and 10% rear. In extreme cases, however, almost 100% can be attributed to the rear axle.
Ensuring roadholding particularly serene and annihilating any loss of traction, the 4Motion device has consequences in terms of consumption with a slight increase. The possibility of a permanent AWD system is a good thing for those who regularly field at all but it’s totally unnecessary for the majority of clients who are confined in a city use.
Depending on the shield, off-road capabilities of your Tiguan will be completely different. With the shield that allows a conventional angle of 18 degrees, you can venture on the trails but watch out for steep slopes.
On the road, the Tiguan’s behavior raises only very little criticism. The handling is good with a clear direction assisted but also informative. The body roll is well controlled and it is possible to run at high speed in a more than adequate comfort. Caution still must be considered because of the weight during braking.Nissan Qashqai or a Toyota Rav 4 . The dimensions of the wheelbase very close between these three vehicles also provide good guidance. In the end, the Tiguan can accommodate 5 passengers but nothing exceptional either.
