Volkswagen previews new SUV concept
Volkswagen has previewed an SUV concept based on its smallest platform, which currently underpins the Up city car.
The Taigun, which may or may not intentionally be an anagram of Tiguan, one of Volkswagen’s existing SUV models, is just 3.86 metres long, 1.73 metres wide and is designed purely for urban environments.
Under the bonnet is a new one litre turbocharged petrol engine based on the non-turbo three-cylinder unit in the Up.
In the Taigun, it produces 109 bhp and 129 lb.ft of torque, which should be plenty to make the 975 kg mini-SUV very sprightly around town. It also has the potential to average 60.1 mpg.
The concept rides on 17-inch alloy wheels which add to its purposeful look, making it look much more imposing in the pictures than the real thing might.
Its production is almost a certainty, with buyers across Europe switching from traditional car styles to taller, SUV-type designs in huge numbers and across almost all car classes.
According to Volkswagen, simplicity is key to the Taigun’s interior. Its front air nozzles, for example, control the fan speed, temperature and air flow direction, removing the need for separate dials on the centre console.
The concept also has auxiliary instruments that give readouts for oil pressure, coolant temperature and, interestingly, turbo boost pressure.
It’s unlikely that the latter, popular in heavily tuned turbocharged cars of the sort seen in films like The Fast And The Furious, will make production on all Taigun models.
No production confirmation has yet been issued, with the company saying it will monitor public reaction to the concept before making a final decision.
The Volkswagen Taigun is designed purely for urban environments.
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