Volkswagen has launched the new Taigun mid-sized SUV at a starting price of Rs 10.50 lakh. At the launch event, the company has officially announced that two new Volkswagen cars will be launched in our market in the near future. Volkswagen will introduce the long-awaited 5-seater version of the Tiguan facelift and a new mid-sized sedan.
2021 VW Tiguan 5-Seat
The VW Tiguan facelift was scheduled to be launched in the first half of 2021; however, the launch has been postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The SUV is expected to be launched in the month of November 2021. In the BSVI avatar, the new model will be offered with petrol engine only. The SUV will also receive cosmetic design changes and upgraded interior.
It will be powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder TSI turbocharged petrol engine paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. This engine is capable of producing 190bhp of power and a peak torque of 320Nm. The SUV will come with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION AWD (all-wheel-drive) system.
The 2021 VW Tiguan will be equipped with features like an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, a panoramic sunroof, connected car tech, ambient lighting, 3-zone climate control, leather seats, 6 airbags, ESC, traction control, hill control, new LED matrix headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED tail-lamps. To be introduced as a CKD, the new Tiguan is expected to cost around Rs 26 lakh to Rs 29 lakh.
Volkswagen Virtus
Volkswagen is readying a new mid-sized sedan, which is likely to be the Indianized version of the Virtus sedan. In fact, the VW Virtus has been spotted testing multiple times on the Indian roads. Rumoured to be presented in February 2022, the new Virtus could be launched by April 2022.
The sedan was planned to make India debut at the 2022 Auto Expo; however, the event has been postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The VW Virtus will be based on the VW Group’s modular MQB AO IN platform, which also underpins the Taigun mid-sized SUV. It will measure 4,482mm in length, 1,751mm in width and 1,472mm in height. The new sedan is 92mm longer, 52mm wider and 5mm taller than the Vento. The sedan rides on 2,651mm wheelbase, which is again 98mm longer than the Vento’s 2,553mm.
It will be positioned against the likes of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. The new mid-sized sedan will be powered by a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that churns out a maximum power output of 108bhp and a peak torque of 175Nm. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic. The sedan could also get a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which will also power the Taigun. Paired to a 7-speed DSG, this engine produces 147bhp and 250Nm of torque.
