(September 15, 2015) FRANKFURT — After selling over 2.64 million copies of the first generation Tiguan SUV, Volkswagen is showing the newly developed European Tiguan at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. In this case, "new" means completely new, a revolution instead of an evolution. The second generation Tiguan is the first Volkswagen Group SUV whose design is based off the forward-looking MQB platform.

Volkswagen is showing four versions of the new Tiguan simultaneously at Frankfurt. The production versions are the very sporty Tiguan R-Line, the classic on-road model and a special off-road version. 

Meanwhile, the Tiguan GTE concept vehicle that has a 160 kW/215-horsepower  plug-in hybrid drivetrain shows how the best-selling compact SUV could further develop. The Tiguan GTE is equipped with a solar module that generates renewable electricity that is fed into the battery, enabling up to 1,000 additional kilometers of zero emissions electric driving.

According to Volkswagen forecasts, the A-SUV segment will increase its global sales from 8.17 million today to more than 8.93 million units by 2018, which represents 9 per cent growth. The new Tiguan is optimally tailored for the requirements in this market segment. Perfectly thought out from the first to the last millimeter, it appeals to millions of car drivers and their families as a spacious and flexible companion for their everyday business and personal lives – an all-round vehicle of a new era.

The first generation Tiguan launched at the end of 2007 and to date, more than 2.64 million units have been produced. Even though the next generation is ready to take over, Volkswagen earned first place in SUV new vehicle registrations in Germany once again in July 2015 — just as it did in the previous months and years. The general trend of rapid growth in the A-SUV segment is reflected par excellence in this model series. In 2014, more than 500,000 Tiguans were produced, which was 9 per cent more than in the prior year.



For Volkswagen, the new Tiguan marks the beginning of an SUV product offensive. In upcoming years, the brand will be launching other innovative SUVs that are tailored to specific markets in a wide variety of segments worldwide.

Volkswagen will be extending the range of SUV vehicles it offers, especially in the U.S. Forecasts indicate that the SUV share will also increase significantly in China and that additional SUV growth will also occur in Europe. Unlike in Europe, drivers in the U.S. and China prefer versions with a longer wheelbase, which is the reason the new Tiguan was systematically developed for two different wheelbases from the start. The "long" Tiguan will be introduced to specific markets starting in the Fall of 2016.

The MQB architecture improves all aspects of the Tiguan. The proportions of the latest Volkswagen SUV are even sportier, the design is truly charismatic, and the vehicle's weight was reduced by more than 110 pounds compared to the previous model. A gigantic leap forward has been made in terms of the vehicle's interior and trunk space: the capacity of the trunk has increased by 1.8 cubic feet, to 18.4 cu ft, and the load space can be enlarged to 21.8 cu ft by sliding the rear bench seat forward, by up to 7.1 inches. When the rear seat is folded, the cargo capacity is 58.5 cu ft, a gain of 5.1 cu ft.

The engines are more efficient as well. A broad range of eight engines are offered, ranging in output from 123 horsepower to 237 horsepower. The engines are more powerful, yet they are up to 24 per cent more fuel-efficient than the Euro 5 engines in the previous model. The new 4MOTION Active Control system also makes it easier than ever to adapt the all-wheel drive to all possible conditions. The Tiguan is now designed to tow loads up to 5,512 pounds.

The new Tiguan has class leading connectivity and driver assistance features. The assistance systems include standard Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, Lane Assist and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. Connectivity services include automatic accident notification, online traffic and parking space information, and a vehicle status report, while  App-Connect integrates all current smartphone platforms with the infotainment system.

The result is a Tiguan which extensively redefines the A-SUV segment. It’s an SUV that satisfies all expectations — both on-road and off-road.