Volkswagen Taigun compact SUV launch timeframe revealed

As a part of India 2.0 plan, Volkswagen is gearing up for the launch of their first mid-size SUV. Volkswagen showcased the Taigun Concept at the Auto Expo 2020 and the production-spec SUV will be hitting the Indian market before Diwali 2021. The Taigun will be the first vehicle from Volkswagen to be based on the MQB AO IN platform which also underpins the Skoda Kushaq on which the Volkswagen Taigun is based on. The Skoda Kushaq will be unveiled in March 2021 as confirmed by Skoda.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director of Volkswagen said “In a market where the top-two players alone control almost three-fourths of the market, too much focus on volume does not make sense. Therefore, we are not looking at volume, but sustainable existence, with profitability,” He also added “For us, 2021 is the year of the Taigun. We are working on a mid-third quarter launch for the compact SUV, which is built on the MQB-AO platform. This is our make-or-break model,”

The design language of the Tiguan is a typical Volkswagen with simple lines that age very well and does not feel old even after many years. For instance, the Volkswagen Polo is still one of the most handsome hatchbacks that you can buy in the Indian market. The design resembles a lot with the Volkswagen Tiguan and the T-Roc SUV. The Taigun is expected to measure 4,200mm in length. Because Taigun and the Kushaq will be based on the same MQB AO IN platform, the wheelbase of both the SUVs will be 2651 mm.

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The SUV is expected to come with a lot of features such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, digital instrument cluster, wireless charger, automatic climate control, cruise control, electrical adjustment for the driver seat, LED headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lamps, the spoiler integrated with roof, LED tail lamps, electric sunroof and much more. There will also be quite a bit of safety equipment such as multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, stability program, tyre pressure monitoring system, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers etc.

The engine options will also be the same as the Skoda Kushaq. So, there will be two petrol engines on offer. There will be a 1.0-litre, TSI TSI engine that is doing duty on Volkswagen Polo TSI, Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Vento. The engine produces 110 PS of max power and 175 Nm of peak torque. The engine will come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Then there will be the more powerful 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine. The engine produces 150 PS of max power and peak torque output of 250 Nm. It will be offered only with a 7-speed Dual-Clutch DCT automatic gearbox. We have already seen this engine on the Volkswagen T-Roc and the Skoda Karoq.

Volkswagen Taigun will be competing against the Nissan Kicks, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and the upcoming Skoda Kushaq. Ashish also confirmed that there will also be another launch this year by Volkswagen. He added the Arteon is definitely in the upcoming model list, but it is not yet confirmed if it will launch this year.

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