Volkswagen Tiguan

The new-look Volkswagen Tiguan. Image: Motorpress

Bumper edition: Volkswagen sharpens the lines on 2021 Tiguan SUV

Volkswagen’s new Tiguan which sports a sharper design and tech upgrades, will launch locally later this year.

Volkswagen Tiguan

The new-look Volkswagen Tiguan. Image: Motorpress

The Volkswagen Tiguan, which was launched in the South African market for the first time in 2008, will be getting a new look and new equipment in 2021, with a redesigned front bumper being among its more immediately striking new features.

Volkswagen (VWSA) released images and the key changes on the updated model this week, but pricing and the exact launch date will be announced by the Nelson Mandela Bay-based company at a later date.

Volkswagen said however that the model would be launched domestically during the third quarter of this year.

‘Change of address’ for Volkswagen SA

The announcement around the 2021 Tiguan comes, coincidentally, amid arguably a significant “change of address” for Volkswagen Group South Africa which has operated from the historic Nelson Mandela Bay metro town of Uitenhage since shortly after World War Two in 1946. On Tuesday, 23 February, Uitenhage’s was officially renamed Kariega.

The metro’s equally historic anchor city — Port Elizabeth — where VWSA is an important social and economic contributor and played a critical role in establishing a COVID-19 medical facility there, has been renamed Gqeberha.

Third-generation Tiguan

Now in its third generation, the Tiguan, according to VWSA, has sold more than six million units globally since launch and more than 41 000 units in South Africa. The Tiguan was the best-selling medium SUV in South Africa in 2020, with 4 280 units sold and a 16.2% share of the A SUV segment.

The Tiguan is currently manufactured at four Volkswagen plants spread across four time zones: China, Germany, Mexico and Russia. The Tiguan for the local market will be manufactured in Germany.

Image: Motorpress

New interior and exterior features

In its release around its new Tiguan, VWSA said it will come with a host of new interior features; a new steering wheel with touch controls is among the key interior highlights. The air conditioning functions have also been digitalised by means of touch sliders and touch buttons.

A first for the Tiguan and the Volkswagen model range is the premium and optional Harmon Kardon sound system, with a 16-channel amplifier, eight speakers and a subwoofer.

One of the striking new exterior features of the Tiguan includes the redesigned front bumper. The bonnet is more concise in its appearance and the new radiator grille with LED headlights is also wider.

The Tiguan’s new IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights features 22 individual LEDs per headlight offering enhanced convenience for night-time driving At the rear, the Tiguan lettering is now central below the Volkswagen badge. New exterior metallic colours include Ginger Brown, Kings Red, Lapiz Blue, Night Shade Blue and Dolphin Grey.

Driver assistance systems

Lane Change Assist and Side Assist – this system helps drivers to stay in their lane with reaction to vehicles moving in parallel as well as oncoming traffic.

Emergency Braking with Front Assist – assists with the detecting obstacles in the front of the vehicle. Response is by means of an acoustic warning and the initiation of emergency braking.

New specification lines for VW Tiguan model range

The model range comes in three specification lines: The base derivative called the Tiguan, the Tiguan Life and the Tiguan R-Line.

The base derivative Tiguan comes standard with features like 17-inch Montana alloy wheels, LED headlights, leather multi-function steering wheel, cruise control and the new MIB3 Infotainment system’s Composition radio (with eight speakers).

Positioned above the base derivative is the “Life” specification line. In addition to the standard features on the base derivative, the Tiguan Life comes standard with 18-inch Frankfurt alloy wheels, LED headlights with cornering lights, Climatronic air conditioning, Park Distance Control in the front and rear as well as an electric tailgate for easy opening and closing.

Optional alloy wheels on the Tiguan Life include 18-inch Nizza and 19-inch Victoria Falls.

Image: Motorpress

The top-of-the-range derivative is the Tiguan R-Line. Standard features include the R-Line exterior package, 19-inch Valencia alloy wheels, ambient lighting with 30 interior lighting options, Vienna leather seats with the R-line Logo in the two front seats, Active Info Display, Composition Media Radio with App Connect, multi-functional steering wheel with touch and swiping actions and the R-line logo as well as keyless entry.

Optional alloy wheels on the R-Line derivative are the 20-inch Suzuka alloy wheels in chrome and black.

The new Tiguan can also be upgraded with optional features such as the panoramic sunroof, trailer hitch, Black Style Package (black roof rails and decorative trims, black exterior mirror housing, privacy glass for the rear windows and black 20-inch Suzuka alloy wheels), Discover Pro entertainment system with wireless App Connect, Heads-up display, Harmon Kardon sound system, IQ Lights: Matrix LED, Area view camera system with Park Assist, IQ Drive Package (Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Park Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking) and the Trailer Manoeuvring System which includes Park Assist.

One diesel and two petrol engines

Image: Motorpress

The Tiguan model range will come with a choice of three engines which are carried over from the previous model; two petrol and one diesel with power outputs ranging from 110kW to 162kW.

1.4 TSI with 110kW of power. The entry engine in the Tiguan model range is a six-speed DSG with a power output of 110kW and torque of 250Nm. With a top speed of 200km/h, it reaches 0 to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds.

2.0 TDI with 130kW of power. The only diesel engine in the Tiguan model range has a power output of 130kW and 380Nm of torque. The seven-speed DSG has a top speed of 207km/h and completes the 0 to 100km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds.

2.0 TSI with 162kW of power. The most powerful engine in the model range has a power output of 162kW and torque of 350Nm. It takes just 6.5 seconds for it to complete 0 to 100km/h. This seven-speed DSG engine’s top speed is 225km.

New Tiguan pricing

Pricing for the new Tiguan will be announced closer to the launch date.

*Model specifications and descriptions provided via Motorpress