Breaking: Facelifted VW Tiguan 5-Seater Launch Delayed

• It has been provided with a 190PS 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. 
• Updates include revised bumpers, new Matrix LED headlamps, and redesigned alloy wheels. 
• Will feature 30-colour ambient lighting and digital driver’s display. 
• Likely to be priced around Rs 28 lakh (ex-showroom). 

The facelifted 5-seater VW Tiguan was expected to launch by early May this year, but that has been postponed to June now because of the spike in Covid-19 cases across the country. 

As part of the update, the SUV has got new angular LED headlamps with VW’s IQ Matrix tech, which dynamically regulates light distribution. This prevents oncoming vehicles from being dazzled, despite the main beam. The revised front bumper now features slated air intakes and triangle-shaped fog light clusters. The SUV rides on a set of new 18-inch alloy wheels, and gets redesigned LED tail lamps. The fake exhausts, which this author doesn’t like, top off the exterior’s styling.

Step inside, and you’ll notice the Tiguan has retained its simple and minimal layout. That said, VW has spruced it up with a new three-spoke steering wheel (similar to the ID electric cars), a full-digital instrument display, and touch-based climate controls. Also, the 30-colour ambient lighting contributes to a pleasant in-cabin experience, especially at night.

Other features include connected car tech, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, three-zone climate control, powered driver’s seat, a sliding rear bench, and a powered tailgate. Passenger safety is taken care of by six airbags, ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, driver alert system, and tyre pressure monitoring. 

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Replacing the 2.0-litre diesel engine is the new 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol that develops 190PS and 320Nm. It drives all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. VW’s 4MOTION tech (with ESP-based off-road modes) is designed to help with mild off-roading. 

The Tiguan will be locally assembled and should be priced around Rs 28 lakh (ex-showroom), putting it in the same league as the Jeep Compass and Citroen C5 Aircross.Volkswagen isn’t the only carmaker to put its launches on the backburner. The fourth-gen Skoda Octavia and Hyundai Alcazar have met the same fate.