.jpg)
It vindicates the rumours the VW was shrinking its Golf-based Tiguan SUV have, with the little Taigun concept SUV unveiled at the Sao Paulo motor show in Brazil.
It appears to be based on the New Small Family platform which only just made its debut on the Up. That makes the Taigun - a name that is also in concept stage - small on the outside at 3.86m long and 1.73m wide. But it sits on a long 2.47m wheelbase to improve cabin space.
As shown on the motor show stand, the four-seat Taigun has Volkswagen's new 1-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 82kW/175Nm. The engine is based on Volkswagen's latest EA211 series and has direct fuel injection and turbocharging to maximise fuel economy. Volkswagen claims 4.7 litres/100km and yet the SUV is capable of a 0-100km/h sprint time of a respectable 9.2 seconds.
However, the concept wagon was shown as a front-wheel drive. It is not known if production versions will have all-wheel drive. The Taigun reflects Volkswagen's family design and shares the lines of the Tiguan and Touareg. But it adds a horizontally-split tail gate. The boot is small with 280 litres with the rear seats up and 987 litres when down.
Like the Up, cabin detail is minimalistic. The front air vents, for example, not only individually control the direction of the air flow but also double as the control for the fan speed and temperature setting, which is displayed within the nozzle. The central infotainment system is designed to pair with a smartphone.
The official statement from Volkswagen is that it will “monitor public reaction to this vehicle” before taking a decision about putting the Taigun into production.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
