VW Taigun SUV revealed

Hatchbacks are practical but they lack the comfort and people mover ability of an SUV. With the consumer wanting the best of everything, car makers have started thinking out of the box. The result? Compact SUVs that are practical and easy to manoeuvre, have commanding road presence and give the consumer the best of both worlds. Volkswagen’s Taigun SUV, based on the underpinnings of the award-winning hatchback up!, is 3.87 metres long and will avail of the sub four-metre tax break when it comes to India by 2015. Also Read: VW for strategic 'budget' brand for India!

With a generous 2.47 metre wheelbase, the Taigun offers 1,036mm and 980mm of head room for front and rear passengers respectively. The 280-litre boot space goes up to 987 litres with the rear seats folded flat. The tailgate is a clever design seen on other SUVs and station wagons and splits with the top two-thirds opening upwards and the bottom third folding down.

The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that produces 110PS of power and 175Nm of torque. Mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the engine is based on the latest EA211 series that powers the up! GT. With direct fuel injection and turbocharging, the motor returns a phenomenal efficiency of 21.2kmpl. The 100km/h mark comes up in 9.2 seconds with a top speed of 187km/h.

The compact SUV design adheres to the company’s DNA and the preview shows that the Taigun borrows a lot from its elder siblings, the Tiguan and Touareg. The production model may not get LED spotlights on roof rails and LED headlamps. But in view of the current scenario of compact SUVs, the company is sure to launch the Taigun, as compact SUVs are a surefire hit.

The India-bound compact SUV may not get the 1.0-litre turbo petrol motor to keep overall costs in check, but a new diesel or a better tuned oil-burner from the Polo may be in the offing.