Volkswagen India has introduced the third-generation Tiguan R-Line, its top model, at an introductory ex-showroom price of Rs 49 lakh. Along with exterior and interior refinements, the new Volkswagen SUV packs more power.
Read on to find out how different the new Tiguan is from its predecessor.
New Tiguan Rs 11 Lakhs pricier
The previous recorded ex-showroom price of the old Tiguan was Rs 38.17 lakh, so the new SUV is nearly Rs 11 lakh costlier, an almost 30 percent rise. The reason behind this is that the Tiguan R-Line is now an absolute import, whereas previously, it was imported through the CKD route.
At the new price, the Tiguan R-Line is pitched against the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Mercedes GLA, Jeep Meridian, Citroen C5 Aircross, and Nissan X-Trail. Joining this list, too, will be the new-gen Skoda Kodiaq, whose prices will be announced on April 17.
| SUVs | Price (in Lakhs) |
|---|---|
| Jeep Meridian | 24.99-38.79 |
| Citroen C5 Aircross | 39.99 |
| Audi Q3 | 44.99-55.64 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line | 49 |
| Nissan X-Trail | 49.92 |
| BMW X1 | 50.80-53.80 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLA | 50.80-55.80 |
Similar to the old-gen model, the new Tiguan's turbo-petrol motor still displaces 1,984cc (or 2-litre), but makes 204hp, a gain of 14hp; the 320Nm torque number, however, remains the same. The drive goes to all four wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), allowing for a 0-100kph time of 7.1 seconds – a big jump over the previous SUV's sub-8.5-second figure.
Designs and Dimensions
In contrast to the previous Tiguan SUV, which was MQB A2 platform-based, the Tiguan R-Line is built on the sophisticated MQB Evo platform. While VW India is launching the Tiguan with a turbo-petrol engine, the same modular architecture supports diesel, mild-hybrid petrol and plug-in hybrid versions in global markets.
In terms of design, the overall shape appears to be the same, although the R-Line SUV is longer and wider but shorter.
| Parameters | New Tiguan R-Line | Old Tiguan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,539 | 4,509 | +30 |
| Width | 1,859 | 1,839 | +20 |
| Height | 1,660 | 1,665 | -5 |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 | 2,679 | +1 |
Exterior updates
Volkswagen has completely overhauled the look of the new-gen Tiguan, which appears sportier now. The Matrix LED headlights, which are inspired by the overseas-selling Touareg SUV, no longer resemble sunglasses. These headlights are connected by a closed glass nose, which also sports a thin LED strip and an 'R' badge.
Additionally, the radiator grille on the bumper now has a criss-cross design and receives a chrome lip. The plastic cladding on the wheel arches is gloss black, and the alloy wheels are an inch bigger, at 19 inches, and have a new design with a dual-tone finish. The carmaker says that because of the exterior changes, the drag coefficient (Cd) has reduced to 0.28 from 0.33.
Colours
VW India is introducing the Tiguan R-Line in six monotone colours: Persimmon Red, Nightshade Blue, Grenadilla Black, Cipressino Green, Oyster Silver, and Oryx White.
Volkswagen Tiguan New vs Old Interiors
Apart from the three-spoke steering wheel, all else is new within the Tiguan R-Line. A gloss black trim on the dashboard contains pixel graphics that light up in a variety of colours.
The AC vent design has been reworked, and whereas the second-gen Tiguan saw a transition from rotary knobs to touch panels for the AC controls, the next gen SUV moves them to a bigger 15-inch touchscreen system; it also accommodates controls for the new front massaging seats. This infotainment unit features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ventilated seats, though, are not yet available.
More Information
Additional fresh features available include sports seats with 'R' inserts, larger 10.25-inch driver's display, drive mode selector knob with a round display screen, shift-by-wire gear selector stock on the back behind the steering wheel and VW's Dynamic Chassis Control Pro to control the firmness of the vehicle's shock absorbers.
It also includes Park Assist Plus, which has the capability of parking the SUV in a compatible space by itself. Nine airbags (six earlier) occupy the safety quotient, in addition to a Level 2 ADAS suite and a 5-star Euro NCAP crash-safety rating.
Conclusion
The new third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line offers massive improvements over its predecessor in nearly all areas—be it performance, features, design, or safety. Although the price hike of almost Rs 11 lakh might raise an eyebrow, the hike is partly justified by the SUV's full-import status, additional tech, increased dimensions, enhanced safety, and a more premium overall package. From a more aggressive engine and sporty design to a far more revised interior and sophisticated driver-assist systems, the new Tiguan R-Line is clearly set to challenge luxury SUVs in its class. For those who want a refined, high-feature German SUV with a sporting twist, the Tiguan is the best bet.
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