Volkswagen is presenting an advanced version of the near-production concept of the Taigun SUV at the Auto Expo 2014 in New Delhi. Compared to the first conceptual design – presented in São Paulo, Brazil in October 2012 – the new sport utility vehicle features a new rear section with outside-mounted spare wheel.
Asian premiere in New Delhi:
Volkswagen presents the advanced SUV concept Taigun
- The Taigun debuts in India with new boot lid and outside-mounted spare wheel Compact SUV with 110 PS turbo engine and a fuel consumption of no more than 4.7 l/100 km
At the Auto Expo 2014 (5–11 February) in New Delhi, Volkswagen will present an advanced
version of the near-production concept of the Taigun SUV.
Compared to the first conceptual design – presented in São Paulo,
Brazil – the new sport utility vehicle features a new rear section with
outside-mounted spare wheel. And this is exactly the solution our
future drivers wished for in the new Taigun. Background: the
popularity of the version of the concept shown in São Paulo was
simply overwhelming Nonetheless, Volkswagen took the opportunity
to analyse feedback from around the world to adapt the new SUV
ideally to customers’ wishes. One of these wishes: fast access to the
spare wheel without having to empty the boot first. The advanced
version of the SUV concept now meets this demand.
Compact dimensions and spacious interior. The Taigun is 3,859
mm long; with mounted spare wheel, it is 3,995 mm; the width of the
SUV is 1,728 mm and the height 1,570 mm (with roof rails 1,605
mm). Between the front and rear bumpers, the vehicle sports a
wheelbase of 2,470 mm, which is large in relation to its exterior
length. Consequence: short overhangs and appealing proportions.
Meanwhile, in the spacious interior, the concept car shows how
Volkswagen imagines a sophisticated, versatile and compact SUV at
affordable prices should be.
Efficient high-tech engine. The four-seat Taigun is powered by a
new and fuel-efficient 1.0-litre TSI engine (turbocharged, direct
injection petrol engine) with 81 kW / 110 PS (from 5,000/min).
Average fuel consumption is just 4.7 l/100km (110 g/km CO2). This
enables a range of around 1,000 kilometres (with a fuel tank capacity
of 50 litres). The direct-injection turbocharged engine of the Taigun
extends the range of the three-cylinder petrol engines based on the
EA211 engine series by adding a configuration with direct fuel
injection plus turbocharging technology, thus opening a new chapter
in Volkswagen’s downsizing strategy. The engine is very fuelefficient,
and it offers high torque at low engine revs (175 Nm from
1,500/min). The concept vehicle (weight: 998 kg) accelerates to 100
km/h in just 9.2 seconds with the new engine. On the “Autobahns” of
the country in which it was developed, namely Germany, which
essentially do not have a speed limit, the Taigun would reach a top
speed of 186 km/h. The engine is combined with a 6-speed manual
gearbox.
Designed for the urban jungle. The Taigun, which is equipped with
17-inch alloy wheels and size 205/50 R17 tyres, is adept at handling
off-road terrain thanks to its high engine torque and high ground
clearance. Nonetheless, the Volkswagen was clearly designed for the
urban environment. Wherever it is used, the SUV utilises powerful
disc brakes. Also providing a plus in active safety is the ESC
electronic stabilisation programme which significantly reduces the
risk of skidding.
The design – powerful and confident
Clear silhouette. The body of the Taigun – as compact as it is
attractive – has been designed with an independent, confident and
sporty look. From the side, the flared wings catch the eye; their
powerful form is homogeneously integrated with the lines of the
silhouette, which are otherwise very calm and clear, and extends into
the doors. Defining the design of the silhouette is the slanted surface
below the side windows, the so-called character line in the jargon of
the designers. Stylistically, this precise character line connects the
front and rear sections of the concept; at the rear, it transitions into
the C-pillars. The independent form of these C-pillars is typical of a
Volkswagen. The designers also worked in the rear door handles so
that they sit flush and appear to be a part of the window design. The
entire side profile expresses confidence and safety.
Sporty proportions. In the lower body area, the rugged side trim
panels are appealing; they cover the side sills, wheel arches and
lower sections of the bumpers. The vehicle’s short overhangs are
advantageous both visually and for space utilisation. In front, the
overhang is just 708 mm and at the rear, 681 mm. Combined with the
wheel base, which is wide compared to the compact exterior length,
especially sporty proportions as well as – in terms of driving on offroad
terrain – very good approach angles (28 degrees in front, 35.5
degrees at the rear) are the result. Last but not least, practical roof
rails with integrated LED spotlights upgrade the vehicle’s off-road
look when viewed from the side.
Confident front section. At the front, designers of the Taigun
intentionally emulated the larger Volkswagen Tiguan and Touareg
SUVs. Like them, the concept also exhibits lines that are dominated
by horizontal design elements. The striking and powerful front
section of the Taigun stands for a design concept that emphasises the
width and thus the confident flair of the SUV. This clear
predominance of horizontal lines extends to the design of headlights
that are integrated in the front grille. The light signature of the LED
daytime running lights frames the grille, thus accentuating the width
of the Taigun once more. A metal underbody protection panel was
designed into the bumpers. Just as in every other perspective, the
concept car – with its balanced proportions – is also very powerful
and self-confident at the front; this fact is conveyed by the opulent
track width of 1,473 mm (front and rear identical) which is large in
relation to the vehicle’s overall width (1,728 mm without mirrors).
Sophisticated rear section. The newly designed rear section of the
Taigun presented in India is characterised by an outside-mounted
spare wheel. When the boot lid is opened, it swings out with the lid;
the boot lid is hinged on the driver’s side. The rear screen, with the
roof spoiler integrated above it, opens separately upwards. As well
as at the front, the concept car has a rugged metal underbody
protection panel at the rear. The designers have integrated the
vehicle licence plate in the centre of this underbody protection panel
– between the end pipe of the exhaust system (left) and the towing
lug (right). An intriguing detail: the handle for opening the boot lid
is homogeneously integrated in the right taillight.
Signalling effect. The Taigun is painted in a friendly pearl effect
colour called “Ultra Orange.” The colour is designed to underscore
the sportiness of the concept car.
Interior – ideal space utilisation
Bright ambience. Like from the outside, , the designers developed a
look for the interior that reflects, in its clarity, the spirit of the times
in our urban world. Those with an affinity for the latest smart phones
or tablet computers will also like the interior design, the feel of its
surfaces and the layout of controls in the Taigun. The colour and
trim concept plays with a contrast of elegance, on the one side, and
the sporty functional off-road character, on the other. The beige seat
covers feature a honeycomb structure; the material itself is rugged
and easy to clean. The orange piping offers a fresh contrast to the
beige hue of the seats and an optical bridge to the colour of the
exterior. The inner surfaces of the side supports are covered in faux
leather.
Rugged surfaces. The base body of the doors as well as the upper
and lower sections of the dashboard were furnished by the designers
with a sporty black grain. Painted analogously to the colour of the
exterior: the storage compartments in the doors, the centre console
and the area below the dashboard. The upper part of the dashboard
and the rim of the door inserts, meanwhile, are finished in a metallic
beige. All metal applications are made of matt anodised aluminium.
996 litres boot volume. The SUV is a fine example of optimal space
utilisation. The tailgate encloses a 280 litre bootspace; when the rear
bench seat is folded down, cargo capacity in the Taigun equipped
with a double cargo floor increases to 996 litres. Storage
compartments are also integrated in the swivelling tailgate (load
width: 900 mm), which can be opened with an aluminium handle.
Great vista guaranteed. The high seat position is typical of an SUV
and is based on the desire of many customers to drive a car with
optimal comfort in entry and exit and to have the best possible
visibility in traffic. Headroom in front is 1,036 mm, while it is 980
mm in the rear seating area; in addition, the vehicle’s long legroom
ensures excellent comfort in the rear seating area. The driver’s
workspace can be optimally adjusted for every body height; the
steering wheel, for example, can be adjusted in height over an angle
of 25 degrees.
Intuitive operability. The operation of all interior functional
elements is absolutely intuitive. Best example: the dials in the air
nozzles on the dashboard. They can also be used to control the
temperature and blower speed and their settings read in an
ingeniously simple way. The Taigun is also equipped with an
infotainment system on the dashboard; it offers interfaces for all
commonly used smart phones. To the right of the radio-navigation
system is the combination on/off/volume control. If a smart phone is
connected, a “Taigun Infotainment App”, programmed especially for
the SUV, appears on the display; the app corresponds to the colour
and trim concept of the interior.
Everything in view. Centrally located under the infotainment system
and finished in fine aluminium are the hazard warning light switch
(middle) and the buttons for rear window heating, defrost function,
air conditioning system and exterior lights. Above the radionavigation
system on the dashboard there are three other auxiliary
instruments (oil pressure, coolant temperature and charge pressure).
Fitting in well with these features is the leather-trimmed three-spoke
steering wheel, which has a sporty flat bottom and fits perfectly in
the hands. The response of the Indian trade-fair visitors and the
Indian media is something Volkswagen awaits with great excitement
– their feedback will also be incorporated into the final conception
of the production model.
