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A few weeks ago, I wrote a comparison test between the 2018 Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas. It was a close fight, but the Atlas ended up being the victor as it proved to be the better all-around three-row crossover. I find myself comparing these two brands once again, this time with their compact crossovers. Like their larger brethren, the two models take different approaches. The Mazda CX-5 goes for something that provides a premium feel and exciting drive, while the Volkswagen Tiguan uses space and comfort as its guide. Which one of these crossovers Which one of these crossovers is right for you? Exterior Mazda’s design team believed evolution would be the right approach for the second-generation CX-5’s design and we have to agree. Taking the first-generation model, designers added more curves to the body, widened the front grille, and angled the front LED headlights. In what is becoming a very crowded class, the CX-5 stands tall, especially when wearing the optional Soul Red paint. Like the Atlas, the Volkswagen Tiguan’s shape can be explained as “looking like a bit of a square, but a posh square.” Little details such as the three-bar grille, LED daytime-running lights, and slightly bulging fenders help give the Tiguan a touch of class. The optional Habanero Orange Metallic paint color on my test vehicle does show Volkswagen is willing to step outside of its comfort zone. In terms of dimensions, the Tiguan is six inches longer in overall length and rides on a wheelbase that is 3.6-inches longer than the CX-5. Interior The Tiguan’s interior follows Volkswagen’s ethos of keeping it functional in terms of the design. It features simple dash and design touches such as a silver finish for various trim pieces. Volkswagen does make up for the boring design with an excellent layout of controls. For example, the climate control system is slightly angled upward to not only make it easier to reach, but also make it less of a hassle to look down and see the current settings. Material quality is average for this type of vehicle with a mix of hard and soft plastics. The front seats in the Tiguan SE offer a power recline and manual adjustments for fore/aft and height. I really liked the seats in the Tiguan as they provided excellent comfort and firmness for any trip distance. But the Tiguan really surprises in the back seat with head and legroom similar to what you’ll find on a full-size SUV. Passengers sitting back here can also move the seats back and forth, and recline to make themselves more comfortable. The long length of the Tiguan allows for a third-row seat. The seat is standard on front-wheel drive models and optional for all-wheel drive variants. The third-row should only be used for small kids as there is a minuscule amount of legroom. Another downside to the third-row is cargo space. The third-row causes a significant reduction in cargo space. With the third-row folded, it offers 4.6 cubic feet less than the two-row variant (33 vs. 37.6). Fold the second-row and the reduction becomes larger - 7.8 cubic feet. I would recommend skipping the third-row option if you opt for an AWD Tiguan. Like the exterior, the CX-5’s interior stands out. The dash shows Mazda’s effort on trying to make their interiors feel more like a luxury vehicle with sculpted contours, brushed aluminum, soft-touch plastics with a grain texture, and stitching on certain trim pieces. Compared to the Tiguan, the CX-5’s control layout is more spread out, making it somewhat difficult to find and reach certain controls. The Grand Touring tester featured power adjustments for both front seats. The seats will feel a bit too firm for some passengers, but I found them to be just right. It would have been awesome if Mazda provided ventilation for the front seats to bolster their premium ambitions. The CX-5’s back seat offers a decent amount of headroom for those under six-feet. Legroom is somewhat lacking when put against the competition. I found that my knees were almost touching the back side of the front seat. Cargo space is right in the middle with 30.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 59.6 when folded. Infotainment A seven-inch touchscreen featuring the Mazda Connect infotainment system and a rotary knob controller is standard on all CX-5s. Grand Touring models get navigation as standard, while the Touring gets it as an option. Mazda Connect is a mixed bag. The interface is beginning to look somewhat old due to the use of dark colors and a dull screen. Also, trying to figure out which parts of the system are touch-enabled becomes quite tedious as there is no way to tell except through trial and error. There is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility, but I’m hoping the 2019 model will get it. For the Tiguan, Volkswagen offers three different infotainment systems ranging from 6.5 to 8-inches. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility come standard. The current Volkswagen infotainment system is one of the best thanks in part to snappy performance and a simple interface. You can do various smartphone gestures such as swiping to move around the system. One disappointment is the lack of any sort of haptic feedback when touching any of the shortcut buttons sitting on either side of the screen. We would also recommend keeping a cloth in the Tiguan as the glass surface for the infotainment system becomes littered with fingerprints. Like in the Atlas I reviewed a few weeks ago, the Tiguan experienced an issue with Apple CarPlay. Applications such as Google Music or Spotify running in CarPlay would freeze up. I could exit out to the CarPlay interface, but was unable to unfreeze the applications unless I restarted the vehicle. Resetting my iPhone solved this issue. Powertrain Under the CX-5’s hood is a 2.5L four-cylinder producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet (up one from the 2017 model). Mazda has added cylinder deactivation for the 2018 model that allows the engine to run on just two cylinders to improve fuel efficiency. This is paired with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. For the Tiguan, Volkswagen has dropped in a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive complete the package. With a higher torque figure and being available between 1,600 to 4,300 rpm, the Tiguan should leave the CX-5 in the dust. But at the stoplight drag race, the CX-5 bests the Tiguan thanks to a sharper throttle response and a steady stream of power. The Tiguan’s turbo-four gets hit with a double-whammy of turbo-lag and a somewhat confused eight-speed automatic transmission, making it feel anything but eager to get off the line. As speeds climb, the story changes. The Tiguan’s engine feels more willing to get moving whenever you need to make a pass or merge onto a freeway. The CX-5’s engine runs out of steam and you’ll need to really work it to get up to speed at a decent rate. Fuel Economy The EPA says the 2018 Mazda CX-5 AWD will return 24 City/30 Highway/26 Combined, while the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan AWD returns 21 City/27 Highway/23 Combined. Both models returned high fuel economy averages; the CX-5 return 28.5 while the Tiguan got 27.3 mpg during my week-long test. Both models were driven on mix of 60 percent city and 40 percent highway. Ride & Handling When I reviewed the 2017 Mazda CX-5, I said that it carried on the mantle of being a fun-to-drive crossover set by the first-generation. Driving on some of the back roads around Detroit, the CX-5 felt very agile and showed little body roll. The steering provides sharp responses and excellent weighting. The sporting edge does mean a firm ride, allowing some road imperfections to come inside. Not much road or wind noise comes inside. Volkswagen took a different approach with the Tiguan’s ride and handling characteristics. On rough roads, the Tiguan provides a very cushioned ride on some of the roughest payment. This soft ride does hurt the Tiguan when cornering as there is slightly more body roll. But that doesn’t make the Tiguan a bad driving crossover. The chassis feels very willing when pushed and the steering provides a direct feel. Value The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SE AWD begins at $30,230. This particular tester came to $31,575 with the optional Habanero Orange Metallic and fog lights. But the 2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring comes with more equipment such as radar cruise control, lane departure warning, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, and power adjustments for the driver for only $2,175 less than the Tiguan SE’s base price. You can add navigation, Bose audio system, and sunroof as part of $1,200 Preferred Equipment package. When it comes to the midlevel, it is no contest as the CX-5 walks away. The script flips however when you put the 2018 CX-5 Grand Touring under the microscope. The AWD version begins at $30,945 and with a few options such as the Soul Red paint and Premium package, the vehicle seen here comes to $34,685. But you can get into the Tiguan SEL AWD that adds adaptive cruise control, power liftgate, and navigation for only $2,295 less than our as-tested CX-5. While the CX-5 does offer more of a premium interior, the larger interior and slightly better infotainment system give the Tiguan a slight edge. Verdict It feels weird to describe the verdict between the two compact crossovers as a decision to satisfy your desires or needs. The 2018 Mazda CX-5 falls into the former as it boasts a handsome look that very few models can match, luxurious interior, and handling characteristics that make you feel like you’re driving a sports car. As for the Tiguan, it falls in the latter camp by offering a spacious interior, smooth ride, and a better infotainment system. I consider these two to be the best-in-class. But deciding which one is better will ultimately come down to deciding whether to give into your wants or needs. Disclaimer: Mazda and Volkswagen Provided the vehicles, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2018 Make: Mazda Model: CX-5 Trim: Grand Touring AWD Engine: 2.5L DOHC 16-Valve Inline-Four Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 187 @ 6,000 Torque @ RPM: 186 @4,000 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 24/30/26 Curb Weight: N/A Location of Manufacture: Hiroshima, Japan Base Price: $30,945 As Tested Price: $34,685 (Includes $975.00 Destination Charge) Options: Premium Package - $1,395.00 Soul Red Crystal Paint - $595.00 Illuminated Door Sill Plates - $400.00 Retractable Cover Cover - $250.00 Rear Bumper Guard - $125.00 Year: 2018 Make: Volkswagen Model: Tiguan Trim: SE 4Motion Engine: 2.0L Turbocharged 16-Valve DOHC TSI Four-Cylinder Driveline: Eight-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 184 @ 4,400 Torque @ RPM: 221 @ 1,600 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 21/27/23 Curb Weight: 3,858 lbs Location of Manufacture: Puebla, Mexico Base Price: $30,230 As Tested Price: $31,575 (Includes $900.00 Destination Charge) Options: Habanero Orange Metallic - $295.00 Front Fog Lights - $150.00 View full article

On the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen has introduced the second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan. The new model looks to be a smaller version of the Tiguan. As for overall size, the Tiguan has grown 2.4 inches in overall length, 1.2 inches in overall width, and 1.3 inches lower. Overall weight has dropped 110 pounds thanks in part to the Tiguan moving towards the MQB platform. The interior takes a lot of ideas from the Golf in terms of design with a similar dash design and placement of various controls. Available on the options list is a 12.3 screen in the instrument cluster that provides various information and a heads-up display. For the European marketplace, Volkswagen will offer eight engines - both gasoline and diesel - ranging from 123 to 237 horsepower. Front-wheel and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive will be available. Volkswagen also revealed the Tiguan GTE concept which pairs a 1.4 TSI four-cylinder with an electric motor to produce a total output of 215 horsepower. A 13 kWh battery offers 31 miles of electric-only range. Volkswagen says the 2017 Tiguan will go on sale in Europe next spring. As for the U.S., Volkswagen hasn't said when we'll be seeing it. But the German automaker has announced a seven-seat version destined for U.S. and China will be shown next fall. Source: Volkswagen Press Release is on Page 2 VOLKSWAGEN REVEALS ALL-NEW EUROPEAN TIGUAN AT THE FRANKFURT INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW Sep 14, 2015 Based off the MQB platform, the new Tiguan revolutionises the compact SUV Powerful, authentic SUV design of the new Tiguan was completely reconfigured Tiguan is the first Volkswagen Group SUV to be based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB) Longer, wider, lower – new vehicle architecture enables sportier proportions Tiguan makes its debut at the IAA in an R-Line® version, a classic on-road version and a version with an off-road front end Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, active hood, Lane Assist and the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System are fitted as standard 520 litres of cargo capacity (additional 50 litres) and considerably more space in the rear thanks to longer wheelbase Broader range of power (92 kW / 125 PS to 176 kW / 240 PS) and up to 24 percent better fuel economy Arrives on the market in April 2016 Volkswagen is also showing the Tiguan GTE concept in Frankfurt with a plug-in hybrid drive and 1.9 litre per 100 km fuel consumption Newly conceptualised solar roof module for the Tiguan GTE increases its electric driving range Wolfsburg / Frankfurt, September 2015 — After selling over 2.64 million of the first generation Tiguan SUV, Volkswagen is showing the newly developed European Tiguan at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. In this case, "new" means completely new, a revolution instead of an evolution. The second generation Tiguan is the first Volkswagen Group SUV whose design is based off the forward-looking MQB platform. On-road, off-road and plug-in hybrid Volkswagen is showing four versions of the new Tiguan simultaneously at Frankfurt. The production versions are the very sporty Tiguan R-Line®, the classic on-road model and a special off-road version. Meanwhile, the Tiguan GTE concept vehicle that has a 160 kW/218 PS plug-in hybrid drivetrain shows how the best-selling compact SUV could further develop. The Tiguan GTE is equipped with a solar module that generates renewable electricity that is fed into the battery, enabling up to 1,000 additional kilometres of zero emissions electric driving. A-SUV segment is booming According to Volkswagen forecasts, the A-SUV segment will increase its global sales from 8.17 million today to more than 8.93 million units by 2018, which represents 9 per cent growth. The new Tiguan is optimally tailored for the requirements in this market segment. Perfectly thought out from the first to the last millimetre, it appeals to millions of car drivers and their families as a spacious and flexible companion for their everyday business and personal lives – an all-round vehicle of a new era. The first generation Tiguan launched at the end of 2007 and to date, more than 2.64 million units have been produced. Even though the next generation is ready to take over, Volkswagen earned first place in SUV new vehicle registrations in Germany once again in July 2015 – just as it did in the previous months and years. The general trend of rapid growth in the A-SUV segment is reflected par excellence in this model series. In 2014, more than 500,000 Tiguans were produced, which was 9 per cent more than in the prior year. Product offensive – Volkswagen SUVs in all classes For Volkswagen, the new Tiguan marks the beginning of an SUV product offensive. In upcoming years, the brand will be launching other innovative SUVs that are tailored to specific markets in a wide variety of segments worldwide. Volkswagen will be extending the range of SUV vehicles it offers, especially in the U.S. Forecasts indicate that the SUV share will also increase significantly in China and that additional SUV growth will also occur in Europe. Unlike in Europe, drivers in the U.S. and China prefer versions with a longer wheelbase, which is the reason the new Tiguan was systematically developed for two different wheelbases from the start. The "long" Tiguan will be introduced to specific markets starting in the Fall of 2016. "The Compact SUV." The MQB architecture improves all aspects of the Tiguan. The proportions of the latest Volkswagen SUV are even sportier, the design is truly charismatic, and the vehicle's weight was reduced by more than 110 pounds compared to the previous model. A gigantic leap forward has been made in terms of the vehicle's interior and trunk space: the capacity of the trunk has increased by 1.8 cubic feet, to 18.4 cu ft, and the load space can be enlarged to 21.8 cu ft by sliding the rear bench seat forward, by up to 7.1 inches. When the rear seat is folded, the cargo capacity is 58.5 cu ft, a gain of 5.1 cu ft. The engines are more efficient as well. A broad range of eight engines are offered, ranging in output from 92 kW / 125 PS to 176 kW / 240 PS. The engines are more powerful, yet they are up to 24 per cent more fuel-efficient than the Euro 5 engines in the previous model. The new 4MOTION® Active Control system also makes it easier than ever to adapt the all-wheel drive to all possible conditions. The Tiguan is now designed to tow loads up to 5,512 pounds. The new Tiguan has class leading connectivity and driver assistance features. The assistance systems include standard Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, Lane Assist and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. Connectivity services include automatic accident notification, online traffic and parking space information, and a vehicle status report, while App-Connect integrates all current smartphone platforms with the infotainment system. The result is a Tiguan which extensively redefines the A-SUV segment. It’s an SUV that satisfies all expectations – both on-road and off-road. Safety plus New features include a pyrotechnically activated mechanism – similar to an airbag – integrated in the hood. This mechanism raises the hood as soon as a person comes into contact with it in a crash. This increases the gap between the hard engine and the relatively soft bonnet and thereby reduces the intensity of dangerous head injuries. Among the new Tiguan’s safety features, are the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, the Front Assist ambient monitoring system including City Emergency Braking and – a new feature – Pedestrian Monitoring as standard. If the radar-based Front Assist of the Tiguan detects a person walking into the road, the system warns the driver. In a second step, it brakes the car. The new Tiguan is also equipped with Lane Assist as standard. This camera-based assistance system warns and automatically countersteers if the driver begins to unintentionally depart from the driving lane without activating a turn indicator. Exterior design The new, larger dimensions and proportions elevate the Tiguan from the previous model. At 176.6 inches in length, the new model is 2.4 in longer, and its wheelbase has been increased by 3.0 in to 105.6 in. The new vehicle is 72.4 in wide, which is 1.2 in more than before. Meanwhile, its height was reduced by 1.3 in to 64.3 in on the base, front-wheel-drive model. The coefficient of drag of the new Tiguan was reduced to 0.31 as well, thanks to numerous aerodynamic improvements, such as the door mirrors that were perfected in wind tunnel testing and airflow simulations: this has resulted in a 40 per cent reduction in overall air drag losses on the body. The front end of the new Tiguan has a significantly wider stance. This is attributable to an actual increase in physical width plus the visual effect of the horizontally aligned radiator grille and headlights. The Tiguan is the first Volkswagen SUV to be equipped with dual LED headlights. Above the headlights, a chrome strip runs across the front of the car. Above the radiator grille and the headlights, the V-shaped hood shoots toward the windshield. The vehicle's side profile is extremely distinctive. The waistline is higher compared with the previous model, which emphasises the SUV style. The character line is also higher and extends over the entire silhouette. The door handles are seamlessly positioned in this line. Beneath the upper line, a horizontal surface follows as a break, and then there is the second character line. Designers talk of a "line dialogue" here. The lower of these lines emphasizes the flared, powerful looking wheelarches and the shoulder section. In contrast to the previous model, the area above the character line is a flatter and has a more elegant band of side windows. This band extends into the dynamically angled D-pillars. The lowest section of the body is an anthracite-coloured area that wraps around the vehicle; the same colour is used for the rugged plastic trim around the wheelarches. A chrome trim strip separates the body colour surfaces and the anthracite cladding. This chrome accent is continued at the rear. The lateral character line becomes a defining rear element above the rear lights. The line defines the upper border of the standard LED rear lights that have a sharp horizontal cut. This cut is continued as a line between the rear lights and forms a trailing edge that is important aerodynamically. The tailgate opening was increased compared to the previous model, too. The lower part of the tail features an anthracite-coloured area and an aluminium-look diffuser that is integrated with the chrome-plated trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes. Interior The completely redesigned interior of the Tiguan has a decidedly sporty yet typically SUV character. The central elements are the instrument cluster (available as the digital Active Info Display) and the infotainment system that is positioned high in the centre stack and angled toward the driver. The dash panel and centre console form a single unit. The centre console itself is dominated by an array of buttons that are laid out around the gear lever. As on the exterior, the designers also systematically applied the "form follows function" principle and create a cockpit style atmosphere. The designers also emphasised the SUV nature of the interior in their choice of surface textures. Thanks to clever packaging, seating space has been significantly improved in the new Tiguan, which has 1.0 in more interior length. Three passengers in the rear seating area, for instance, have 1.1 in more knee room. The size of the luggage compartment has also increased. At 18.4 cubic feet, the cargo capacity of the new model has increased by 1.8 cu ft (with five persons on-board). In addition, the rear bench seat is asymmetrically split and adjustable longitudinally. The reclining angle of the seat backrest can also be adjusted. The cargo area can be enlarged to 21.8 cu ft by sliding the rear bench seat forward (by up to 7.1 inches). When the rear bench is folded, this results in a volume of 58.5 cu ft. If necessary, the backrest of the front passenger seat can be folded fully forward for stowing very long items. Last but not least, it is now even easier to load the Tiguan, because the load sill has been lowered further. An electronic marvel The new Tiguan is one of the world's most advanced compact SUVs, featuring an impressive array of innovations. First, there are technologies like the 12.3-inch Active Info display (interactive, fully digital main instruments with five information profiles) and the head-up display that is being offered for the first time in a Volkswagen SUV. Second, the vehicle's safety, convenience and connectivity have been taken to a new level by an array of driver assistance and infotainment systems. Even the base Trendline model has a number of advanced standard features. These include Front Assist that features City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring as well as the active hood and the Lane Assist lane departure warning system. In addition, the safety equipment is completed by a network of seven airbags, including a knee airbag on the driver's side, and the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System; it helps to avoid secondary collisions. Comfortline mid-level trims have the Driver Alert System as standard. The top Highline trim is also equipped with adaptive cruise control (ACC), which utilizes radar to accelerate or brake the Tiguan and thus always maintain the correct distance to traffic ahead. If the SUV is equipped with DSG® in addition to ACC, it automatically handles stop-and-go traffic as well (traffic jam assist). Other Tiguan driver assistance systems include the optional Side Assist (lane-changing assistant), Pre-Crash proactive occupant protection (detects elevated collision potential, tensions the front seatbelts to preventively restrain the driver and front passenger and closes open windows and the sunroof to just a small gap), Emergency Assist (recognises if the driver is no longer responsive and brakes the car to a stop) and Area View (360 degree all-round view using four cameras that is especially useful off-road). Comfort and convenience The new Tiguan has a new three-zone automatic climate control system, called Pure Air Climatronic®. The technology, which is unique and so far only used by Volkswagen, keeps air quality at a consistently high level thanks to its air quality sensor and active biogenic filter, preventing pollutants from entering the car – from mold spores to allergens. Fully redesigned seats have optional electric adjustment, while the available Smart Comfort Seats automatically travel downward and back to make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle when the ignition is turned off. In addition, the new ergoActive seat includes electric 4-way lumbar support and massage function. Making trips long and short even more pleasant, the Tiguan has one of the largest panoramic sunroofs in the class (34.3 by 53.7 inches), which also features integrated ambient lighting. Other new comfort and convenience features include Easy Open / Easy Close (automatic opening or closing of the tailgate in response to a specific foot movement behind the Tiguan), a heatable steering wheel, and Volkswagen’s variable ratio electromechanical progressive steering. Infotainment and connectivity The Trendline trim is equipped with the Composition Touch radio system (5.0-inch monochrome touchscreen) as standard. The Tiguan Comfortline and Highline get the Composition Colour radio system (5.0-inch colour touchscreen) at no extra charge. The Composition Media radio system (8.0-inch colour touchscreen) is also available. Other options are the Discover Media and Discover Pro radio-navigation systems (both have 8.0-inch displays). All of these systems are part of the second generation modular infotainment matrix (MIB II). MIB II creates seamless connectivity with today's Apple and Android smartphones via App Connect. In addition to MirrorLink®, App Connect also integrates Apple CarPlay® and Google Android Auto™ into the infotainment systems. The Media Control app makes Volkswagen one of the first automakers to also offer an interface to the infotainment system for tablets. Volkswagen also offers a number of online services. Guide & Inform lets users access services such as latest traffic warnings, information on available parking spaces in nearby car parks (number of spaces and address) and information on filling stations (fuel prices and addresses). For the first time, Volkswagen is also offering Security & Service, which can be used to request assistance from the vehicle via a call centre. Some of the features integrated here are online road service call, automatic accident notification, service scheduling (to arrange maintenance appointments for the Tiguan with the service centre) and requesting the vehicle status report. Depending on the package that is selected, it may also be possible to use a smartphone to request vehicle status or parking location or activate the parking heater function. The smartphone itself can be placed conveniently in a newly designed and innovative interface box. The highlight here is that the phone can be charged and coupled to the vehicle's outside antenna inductively. Powertrains There are a total of eight Euro-6 compliant engines, all of which have turbocharging, direct injection, a stop-start system and battery regeneration as standard. The four TSI® gasoline engines produce 92 kW / 125 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS, 132 kW / 180 PS and 162 kW / 220 PS. The four TDI® diesel engines produce 85 kW / 115 PS, 110 kW / 150 PS, 140 kW / 190 PS and 176 kW / 240 PS. The base engines of the new Tiguan are launched with front-wheel drive, but all of the other engines are available with all-wheel drive either as an option or as standard. Compared to the previous model with Euro-5 engines, the four-cylinder engines in the new Tiguan are up to 24 per cent more fuel-efficient. Compared to previous Tiguans with Euro-6 engines, there is up to 10 percent better fuel efficiency. Not only are the engines more efficient, they are also more powerful. The highest powered TSI engine previously made 150 PS in Europe, but now has two 2.0-litre engines with 180 and 220 PS. With the diesel engines, the most powerful TDI used to make 184 PS. This engine now makes 190 PS, but the top engine is the newly engineered 240-PS unit with twin turbos charging and 2,500 bar of injection pressure. With 88 kW / 120 PS per litre of displacement, the 2.0 TDI has one of the highest specific power outputs in the A-SUV segment. 4MOTION all-wheel drive Volkswagen offers the highly efficient 4MOTION all-wheel drive system in the new Tiguan, either as an option or as standard, depending on the chosen engine. Ground clearance of all Tiguan 4MOTION versions is 0.4 inches higher, at 7.9 inches. In addition, the Tiguan can be ordered with a special off-road front end package that allows for an approach angle is 25.6 instead of 18.3 degrees. The departure angle at the rear is 24.7 degrees for all versions, as is the ramp angle. Specially developed for the new Tiguan is 4MOTION Active Control – an off-road switch with four different modes. Regardless of whether the vehicle has an on-road or off-road front end design, the new Tiguan is engineered for towing more than 5,500 pounds. The 4MOTION all-wheel drive system uses a fifth-generation Haldex® coupling that actively distributes torque to all four wheels before slip occurs. In normal driving, only the front wheels are driven, saving fuel. But as soon as there is a risk of losing traction, the rear axle is variably engaged within fractions of a second. Along with the Haldex coupling, the electronic differential locks (EDS) integrated in the electronic stability control (ESC) system act as a transverse lock for all four wheels. The rotary/pushbutton switch for the new 4MOTION Active Control is located on the centre console. The driver uses it to activate four higher-level modes and various popup menus. When the driver turns the switch to the left, one of the Onroad or Snow profiles can be activated for on-road driving. When the driver pushes the switch in one of these modes, a popup menu appears on the infotainment system’s touchscreen, showing the driving profile selection with five profiles. When the switch is turned to the right, the driver can select one of the two off-road profiles: Offroad (automatic setting of off-road parameters) or Offroad Individual (variable settings). Here too, pressing the switch opens another menu level. When driving off-road, 4MOTION Active Control lets drivers switch the assistance systems in just seconds. Trim lines and packages The new Tiguan will be available in the Trendline, Comfortline and Highline equipment lines in Europe. All versions may be ordered with an off-road front end as an alternative. The Tiguan Comfortline and Tiguan Highline feature a sporty look with the 'normal' front end. The new R-Line packages make the SUV look even more dynamic. The Comfortline and Highline may also be ordered with the Design package or in the Exclusive equipment specification. The R-Line packages can be ordered as either a total package of exterior and interior features or an alternative exterior package. On the exterior, the R-Line features "Sebring" 19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels or optional 20-inch "Suzuka" alloys. Previously, Tiguans could only have rims up to 19 inches in diameter. Except for the wheelarches, all other anthracite body surfaces are painted in body colour, including the exclusive door trims which have the same visual effect as side sill extensions. The exterior design is finished by R-Line bumpers that have gloss black aerodynamic accents, a two-tone roof spoiler and a gloss black rear diffuser. The interior features R-Line seats (cloth and microfiber seat upholstery, optional "Vienna" leather upholstery), aluminium door sill guards with the R-Line logo that can be optionally illuminated, decorative stitching in Crystal Grey, special trim accents, stainless steel pedal caps and footrest, black headliner and a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with the R-Line logo. Plug-in hybrid concept—with a solar roof! Wolfsburg / Frankfurt, September 2015 — Demonstrating the future directions the Tiguan might take is the Tiguan GTE – the first plug-in hybrid SUV from Volkswagen, which the brand is showing at the IAA. This Volkswagen, which is being presented as a concept vehicle, develops a system power of 160 kW / 218 PS and can cover a distance of up to 50 km in "E-Mode" driving as an all-electric zero-emission vehicle. Its average fuel consumption (combined) is a mere 1.9 l/100 km; this equates to a CO2 emissions figure of 42 g/km. The relatively long electric driving range not only benefits from the externally chargeable lithium-ion battery with an energy capacity of 13.0 kWh, but also from a solar module that is integrated in the roof – a world exclusive. Under ideal conditions, the energy that it generates annually is sufficient to add up to 1,000 km of driving range (Germany 500 km, Southern Europe 800 to 1,000 km), depending on the regional solar radiation power. TSI plus E plus DSG The concept car is driven via its front axle by a direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine (1.4 TSI with 115 kW) and an electric motor. The lithium-ion high-voltage battery supplies the electric motor with energy. The Tiguan GTE operates with a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) that was specially developed for hybrid use. The electric motor was integrated into the gearbox housing. Additional components of the hybrid drive include the power electronics (converts DC power from the battery to AC power for the electric motor) and a charger. The Tiguan GTE can be driven in the described E-Mode or in one of the three other modes Hybrid, Battery Charge, or GTE. After starting the drive system, the concept vehicle automatically drives off in "E-Mode". When a minimum charge level of the battery has been reached or when there is very high demand for power, the drive system automatically switches over to the "Hybrid" mode. This means that "E-Mode" is deactivated, and the Tiguan GTE now behaves like a classic full hybrid vehicle. It charges the battery regeneratively during deceleration and automatically uses the TSI and/or electric motor according to the driving situation. By pressing the "E-Mode" button, the driver can manually switch to zero-emissions operation if necessary. Exclusively driven by electric motor, the Tiguan then has a top speed of 130 km/h. GTE mode as boost function The driver presses the GTE button to switch to GTE mode, which activates the sporty side of the concept car. This GTE mode is an exclusive feature of all Volkswagen vehicles with a plug-in hybrid drive system. The characteristics of the accelerator pedal, gearbox and steering are made noticeably more dynamic, and the tuning of the TSI is more performance oriented. In addition, in the GTE mode the TSI and electric motor work together in what is known as "boosting" which makes the full system power and the maximum system torque available. The Tiguan GTE then has a top speed of 200 km/h and accelerates to 100 km/h in a short 8.1 seconds. View full article