Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150 HP - focusing on technology

Volkswagen is unlikely to surprise with anything and does not like big changes. It sounds like a mantra repeated on the occasion of the launch of each incarnation of the model. For Tiguan, remembering the previous two generations of Volkswagen models, this could not have ended. Are we really witnessing a revolution?

Volkswagen is planning a real blitzkrieg when it comes to the SUV market. Next year we will be overwhelmed by a real wave of cars of this type. We are already waiting for the next generation of the Touareg, but there will be new additions to the Polo-based small recreational vehicles. Among other things, the T-Breeze concept presented at this year's exhibition in Geneva will come to life. 

There had to be a strong accent that would open up a line of new SUVs. Volkswagen Tiguan. Moreover, its predecessor has been in showrooms since 2007, that is, 9 years. Volkswagen may know how to improve on models that have been on offer for 30 or 40 years, but it may not have known how to start updating a new model that turned out to be a hit. So the Tiguan stood - and in order not to take root in these salons, it was subjected to more or less facelift. However, its styling still resembled the Passat B6. 

So Volkswagen decided to take a big step for the Tiguan and a small one for the rest of the lineup. Its appearance has been adapted to the current trends in the ranks of manufacturers, especially here you can see links with the newest Passat. So, the silhouette is massive, slightly rectangular, and a characteristic element is a wide radiator grill with chrome fins that go into the headlights built into the sides. 

While the Tiguan retained its higher ground clearance, the bodywork was flattened slightly, giving it some dynamism. It is also the first SUV from this manufacturer on the modular MQB platform. It is also the one who prepares Volkswagen for the production of SUVs of various sizes. 

Ergonomics is the key

The interior is drawn quite interestingly, in futuristic colors. All those shapes and stitching don't come to the fore with the black upholstery, but the offer also includes Volkswagen-crazy orange and black upholstery. That's when we notice all the interestingly shaped seat panels and sharp dash shapes. 

For Volkswagen, however, ergonomics matter most. If something were non-intuitive to use, it wouldn't be here. And so we can get to every button without changing the driving position, and the icons are easily recognizable and even the new virtual cockpit system does not require many hours of training. To a large extent, it operates in the same way as the small on-board computer screen that was usually located between the clocks, except that the display is larger and shows much more information - for example, a full-size map. Interestingly, we can adjust its brightness ourselves, but this brightness can also adapt to the current lighting conditions. The principle of operation is almost identical to that of smartphones.

Volkswagen has focused on technology, which is why an integrated GSM module appears here. And even two modules - after all, the first SIM card slot is hidden, it is used only to communicate with the SOS number and the Volkswagen call center. The second slot is already visible - for it we can buy a SIM card with a rich internet package and enjoy the benefits of the Car-Net system. And among these advantages, we have a satellite map, real-time traffic information or contextual voice control. We don't need to give simple commands like "Navigation - Krakow - X street, etc." We can just say something like "Take me home" and if we have a saved home address, the navigation will automatically direct us to that route. Not only that, traffic information works even if we don't define a destination. The system studies our behavior and when it notices that, for example, every day at 7:20 we go to work on a certain road, it will inform us of difficulties and recommend a detour. Again, although we didn't choose a destination at all! A bit like Google Now on Android. 

If we talk about the basic positions of the driver and the space for each passenger, then everything is in order here. You can lower the seat quite low, which gives us a sportier seating position and gives us a better feel for the car. Rear seat passengers don't have unlimited space like in the BMW 7 Series, but there's room for four adults. Provided that all passengers do not have the size of Tomas Majewski. 

Volkswagen says the boot holds 615 liters as standard. This is a lot, although all the recesses, space under the boot floor and the like certainly helped in achieving this result. However, when folded, sofas open in front of us, ready to receive a load of 1655 liters, with a flat floor.

Road, but not only

At the presentation, we had the opportunity to check the properties Volkswagen Tiguan on easy terrain motocross tracks. So in Krakow we focused on asphalt driving. The test Tiguan drove a lot of kilometers with us, but with each trip we came to the conclusion that we did not feel these kilometers. 

The suspension is comfortable, but adapted for a more dynamic ride. It's important to note that even hitting a larger hole in the road doesn't have to be associated with a loud bang. In Volkswagen cars, the suspension often works loudly when it comes into contact with large bumps - this is not necessary here.

Under the hood of the test car is an engine that is likely to become one of the most popular among buyers - a 2.0 TDI with 150 hp. The unit was combined with a DSG gearbox and 4MOTION drive. The maximum torque develops in the range from 1750 to 3000 rpm and is a good 340 Nm. Acceleration to 100 km / h takes 9,3 seconds Sounds reasonable, but our Volkswagen is better when it is already accelerating. So the speed increase from 80 to 120 km / h takes only 7,5 seconds - and this allows for very free overtaking. 

The Offroad package, which raises the suspension a bit and changes the bumpers, certainly makes a difference in handling. At lower speeds, we won't notice it, but when driving on the highway, stability will be limited. In such a situation, the side wind will also affect more. Most clients will probably only be traveling on roads, and even if they get out into the country, they won't attack hills so high that they need a larger angle of attack. Standard bumpers are still the best solution.

Fuel consumption? According to the manufacturer, it will be 6,8 l / 100 km in the city, 5,1 l / 100 km outside it and 5,7 l / 100 km on average. With a light foot, we can even go below these values. However, the use that allows you to enjoy all the Newton meters requires 1-2L / 100km more oil, but above the 10L / 100km limit, fortunately, it is not so easy to enter. 

Modern and family

Volkswagen Tiguan the previous generation won the sympathy of a large number of buyers. The new one has very good makings to renew this liking. It's very modern, especially when you look at competitors like the Mercedes GLC, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson or Renault Kadjar. Volkswagen has chosen a number of technologies as its main asset. Is this enough to convince your customers? Of course not. But some of you will love it.

Prices start from PLN 97 for a Tiguan with a 980 TSI engine with 1.4 hp. and Trendline equipment. The car is equipped with LED taillights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with fabric upholstery, 125 airbags, manual air conditioning, Lane Assist, Front Assist and XDS, an electronically controlled differential. 

The most expensive models are models with a 2.0 TDI engine with 190 hp. with Highline equipment, for which you have to pay PLN 162, and this is only the base price. We can successfully tune the Tiguan so that its price is close to 980. zloty. If we want, of course.