The 2026 Volkswagen Taigun has also debuted the new eight-speed automatic transmission with the 1.0-litre TSI engine. The eight-speed transmission was first introduced in the new Kushaq.

​Volkswagen is now also offering  an assured buyback program for the new Taigun. Buyers can claim 75 percent of the ex-showroom price within the first three years and 30,000 kms of usage, provided they book on or before May 31, 2026.

The post 2026 Volkswagen Taigun Launched at ₹11 lakh first appeared on Turbocharged.

Visually, the ID. Cross features clear lines with balanced proportions, which Volkswagen calls ‘Pure Positive design language’. The interior will get a minimalist design with a large display and physical buttons for essential functions. It is a five-seater compact SUV with high-class materials and workmanship.​

Power will be delivered through either a 37kWh battery pack or a larger 52kWh battery pack, with power output varying between 85kW, 99kW, or 155kW. In terms of charging, it supports DC quick charging up to 90kW for a smaller battery pack and 105kW for a larger one.

The Volkswagen ID. Cross will be priced around 28,000 euros, which is equivalent to roughly ₹29.88 lakh, set to launch in the autumn of 2026 in the European market.

The post Volkswagen ID. Cross previewed in Amsterdam first appeared on Turbocharged.

​In terms of design, the Tayron R-Line features a premium and sporty exterior. It gets 19-inch alloy wheels, illuminated Volkswagen logos and ‘R’ badging at the front. The Tayron R-Line measures 4,700mm in length and has a wheelbase of 2,789mm. It is also equipped with LED head lamps, connected tail lamps and is offered in seven different colours.

​On the inside, the Tayron R-Line is equipped with a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and heads-up display for the driver. The Tayron R-Line comes equipped with three rows of seats, besides the second row being sliding to enhance space management. Additionally, the Tayron R-Line gets a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control and ambient lighting.

​Powering the Tayron R-Line is a 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine which produces 204PS and 320Nm. The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Volkswagen says that the SUV can accelerate from 0-100kmph in 7.3 seconds.

​The Tayron R-Line will lock its horns with models like the Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Fortuner, Jeep Meridian and the newly introduced MG Magestor in the Indian market.

The post Volkswagen Tayron R-Line Launched At ₹46.99 lakh first appeared on Turbocharged.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen Volkswagen India try to position itself as a manufacturer of sportier, more premium vehicles in India more aggressively. The new generation Tiguan that was launched in the sportier, R-Line trim last year was a perfect example of that, and the all-new Tayron R-Line is a follow-up act to it. And that’s because Volkswagen is kick starting 2026 with the Tayron as its new flagship SUV. Effectively, the Tayron will sit above the Tiguan R-Line and is bigger, more spacious and has three rows of seats, while being powered by the same 2.0-litre TSI engine. But interestingly, unlike the Tiguan R-Line that was a direct import, the Tayron R-Line is being assembled locally in India, in a bid to price it more aggressively and make it more attractive. Does it tick the right boxes? Well, what better roads than the arrow straight ones in Jaisalmer to experience this 200PS German SUV!

The Tayron’s front end looks sporty and aggressive to begin with, and that’s thanks to its sleek looking headlamps and the more aggressive design of the bumper, as this is the R-Line version. And the prominent placement of the letter R on the grille, just like we have seen on the Tiguan R-Line, confirms its sporty intent. One of the biggest differences between the Tiguan and the Tayron are the Tayron’s larger dimensions though, especially its longer length. The Tayron sits on the same MQB EVO platform as the five seat Tiguan, but is 253mm longer to accommodate the three rows of seats, besides which the wheelbase is up by 89mm too. The increased length helps in identifying this one as the Tayron immediately, and also helps the SUV look more stately as compared to its two-row sibling. 

That said, the wheel design is exactly the same as the Tiguan, and the wheel sizes are the same too, at 19 inches. The Tayron also looks similar to the Tiguan R-Line from the rear as far as the basic design is concerned, but there are a few differences, like the fact that the tail lamps look more appealing, besides which the Volkswagen logo is backlit, in red. Overall, while the Tayron is identifiable as a Volkswagen instantly, it looks more futuristic as compared to the Tiguan, thanks to its design, particularly courtesy the sleeker lamps at both ends. It also boasts better road presence, especially in this shade of blue which adds to its appeal and also helps the Tayron feel closer to luxury SUVs.  

Interiors impress from the word go too, thanks to the high quality of materials and multitude of surface finishes. But a bigger highlight is the cabin layout and dashboard design, which while looking properly German, as you would expect in a Volkswagen, give the Tayron the feel of being a luxury SUV. The Tayron also feels very spacious, and I like the amount of space around the driver’s cockpit. The steering feels nice to hold, and I also like how the infotainment screen is angled towards the driver, a clear mark of the Tayron R-Line being a driver-focused, performance-oriented SUV. But having said that, I’m still not convinced about the size of the screen, because this is the same 15-inch touchscreen as the Tiguan R-Line, and it just feels too large! The dashboard design is the same as the Tiguan too, with some eye-catching ambient lighting embedded into it on the left side, which is also customisable. The front seats feel plush and luxurious and add to the Tayron’s appeal and given that this is the R-Line, the cabin wears an all-black theme for added sportiness. There’s a lot to like about the second row as well, in terms of space and comfort both, and the second row seat can also be reclined by up to 15 degrees. 

The same cannot be said about the third row though, as space is constrained. On the other hand, a panoramic sunroof helps in adding to the sense of space inside. The Tayron R-Line also comes with a long list of features and get conveniences over and above the Tiguan R-Line. Most importantly, front seats are not just heated anymore, they are ventilated and get a massage function too. You also get 3-zone air-conditioning, and if you are an audiophile, you are sure to appreciate the Tayron R-Line’s 700W, 11-speaker audio system from Harman Kardon, equipped with a subwoofer and amplifier as well. 

The 15-inch touchscreen uses Volkswagen’s new user interface that we first saw in the Tiguan R-Line and Golf GTI last year, but it takes some getting used to, especially accessing driving-related functions which are bundled into a tiny icon at the top right. Good news is, the infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get an augmented reality-based head-up display, Level 2 ADAS and a list of safety features including 9 airbags, ESC, hill-hold, 360-degree view and more. 

The Tayron R-Line is powered by the same 2.0-litre TSI, turbocharged petrol engine as the Tiguan R-Line and it also offers the same 204PS and 320Nm, sent to all four wheels via the same 7-speed DSG.  The engine’s silky-smooth feel and refinement even well beyond the 4,000rpm mark is as remarkable as ever, but more importantly, acceleration is very quick as we’ve always known this powertrain to offer, despite the Tayron’s size and weight. Claimed 0-100kmph time is just 7.3 seconds, made possible by its strong engine performance, and also the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. Credit goes to the dual-clutch automatic gearbox too, which impresses with its super-quick gear changes as it always has, and downshifts are particularly satiating given how well the engine matches revs. And yes, the paddle shifters certainly help in adding to the powertrain’s sporty feel too! The powertrain thus has the Tayron R-Line feel smaller and lighter than it is, and feel more car-like from behind the wheel, just like every iteration of the Tiguan. 

The Tayron misses out on the Tiguan R-Line’s  DCC Pro system with adaptive dampers, but I’m not complaining at all, because its handling is as good you would expect of a high-end German SUV. In fact we’ve always liked the Tiguan’s sporty handling and car-like feel even on the handling front, and the Tayron continues that trend well. There’s a surefooted feel around corners or when changing lanes even at highway speeds, besides which the Tayron also stays firmly planted even at triple digit speeds – it really did help me make the most of Jaisalmer’s butter-smooth and arrow-straight roads! The steering feels perfectly weighted too and offers excellent feel and feedback, as we’ve always known Volkswagens to, especially the high-end ones. All this sportiness does not come at the expense of a ride quality though, despite the firmness of the suspension. The Tayron feels adept at balancing sporty handling with a ride quality that impresses, despite the suspension setup feeling firm. Jaisalmer’s well-paved tarmac was not exactly a gauge, but the Tayron certainly gave me a feel that it will deal with typical Indian roads well to boast a ride quality that will even impress chauffeur-driven buyers. 

To sum it up, the Tayron is very impressive as a full-size premium SUV, and also feels perfect as Volkswagen’s new flagship offering given its sporty design, well-appointed interiors and right mix of features, besides the strong engine performance and sporty dynamics. Importantly, unlike the Tiguan R-Line that was a direct import, since the Tayron R-Line is being assembled locally, it might just undercut the Tiguan R-Line and offer better value for money once prices are announced!

The post 2026 Volkswagen Tayron R-Line First Drive Review first appeared on Turbocharged.

As part of the R-Line package, the Tayron will feature sportier exterior bumpers and distinctive R-Line design elements, giving the SUV a more aggressive visual identity. Feature highlights include a panoramic sunroof, multi-zone climate control, 360-degree camera, wireless charging, and a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, along with a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 700W Harman Kardon sound system.

Safety equipment includes nine airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, TPMS, an electronic parking brake, and a comprehensive ADAS suite. The Tayron will compete with the Skoda Kodiaq, Jeep Meridian, Citroën C5 Aircross, and Hyundai Tucson.

The post Volkswagen Tayron Launch Timeline Confirmed first appeared on Turbocharged.

The Volkswagen Tayron is likely to be introduced in the sportier R-Line variant. The Tayron is expected to be launched sometime this year. It is likely to be priced in the ₹45–50 lakh range (ex-showroom), placing it firmly in the premium SUV category.

Globally, the Tayron is positioned between the Tiguan and the Touareg and is based on Volkswagen’s MQB Evo platform. For India, it is expected to be offered with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI turbo-petrol engine producing 201PS and 320 Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. VW is expected to continue with a petrol-only strategy in this segment.

In terms of features, the Tayron is expected to offer a panoramic sunroof, multi-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, and a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It is also likely to get a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a premium 700W Harman Kardon sound system.

On the safety front, the SUV is expected to be equipped with nine airbags, ABS with EBD, and an ADAS suite, along with features such as TPMS, ESP, and an electronic parking brake.

The Volkswagen Tayron will rival models like the Skoda Kodiaq, Jeep Meridian, Citroën C5 Aircross, and Hyundai Tucson. More details regarding variants and the launch timeline are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

The post Volkswagen Tayron Teased for India first appeared on Turbocharged.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a name that has been worshipped at the hot hatch altar across its generations. And finally, Volkswagen has brought the iconic nameplate to India! Now, the GTI sits below just the R in the world of Volkswagens, which is the top step. But the Golf R, which is the most powerful version of the Golf and equipped with an all-wheel drive system was launched only in 2002. The GTI though has been around since 1975 and celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year! In that sense, the Golf GTI is easily the most iconic name in the world of hot hatches, even if the R is ‘hotter’. 

Making matters further interesting was the fact that we were to drive the Golf GTI at the NATRAX. The NATRAX is home to Asia’s longest high-speed test track which is 11.3km long, and this meant we would be able to explore the 265PS and 370Nm hatchback’s full potential, in a controlled environment. As I laid my eyes on the car, in the very alluring-looking shade of grey you see on these pages, I couldn’t help but admire its long, low-slung stance. But while it may be a hatchback, the Golf GTI is large. In fact, at 4,289mm long, it’s just 41mm shorter than the Hyundai Creta, which should give you some perspective about its length. The sleek headlamps help the car look wide and this being the GTI version, a red line runs across its width at the front, through the headlamps and the grille. 

The red line also has an LED strip running along with it from end to end, besides which the Volkswagen logo is illuminated too. Another distinctive design trait are the five hexagonal LED fog lamps at either end of the large honeycomb grille. The Golf GTI’s ground clearance is just 136mm, and it should thus be interesting to see how the car tackles speed breakers. It runs on 18-inch wheels shod with 225/40-section tyres and while the large wheel size affirms the car’s sporty intent, I felt the wheel design could have been better. Red brake calipers and black skirting under the doors add to its stance further. Move to the rear and you’re sure to appreciate the sharp-looking tail lamps, roof spoiler and dual exhausts. Overall, the design is clean and purposeful, and the Golf GTI looks and feel special, especially from close quarters. 

The story isn’t very different inside either. You get a set of sports seats at the front with the GTI name is stitched into their Alcantara inserts above the Tartan upholstery. You do not get electric seat adjustment though – not that I’m complaining, but I know a lot of buyers will frown, given the car’s price! The cabin feels spacious given the car’s exterior dimensions, and the flat-bottomed steering wheel, with contrast stitching in red and red highlights helps in making the cockpit feel special. A 12.9-inch touchscreen takes centre stage on the dashboard and is angled towards the driver, though it comes in your line of sight if looking out towards the centre of the windscreen. 

The driver’s display is a crisp-looking 10.25-inch unit with customisable themes and they all look good and also compliment the car’s hot hatch status. The grey hue of the interiors feels a little drab though, and I would have liked the use of brighter colours inside. Given the car’s size the second row is spacious, and so is the boot, with a volume of 380 litres. The Golf GTI is also high on technology and among the only hatchbacks in India to be equipped with Level 2 ADAS and seven airbags. You also get Matrix LED headlamps, a sunroof, 3-zone air-conditioning, wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well on the features front. Volume and air-conditioning controls are a ‘touch slider’ below the touchscreen, similar to the Tiguan R-Line’s.  

Coming to the heart of the matter, the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine under the hood is the same EA288 2.0 TSI motor that also performs duty in the Tiguan R-Line and Skoda Kodiaq in India. The exhaust note is good, albeit slightly muted, and some of the sound is also let into the cabin via the car’s speakers! The Golf GTI’s biggest draw though is its engine performance. We managed to clock a speedometer-indicated top speed of 267kmph, easily the highest for a hatchback in India. But while initial acceleration is strong expectedly, enabling a 0-100kmph time of just about 6 seconds, the Golf GTI feels very quick to accelerate through the gears. The well-spaced ratios of the 7-speed DSG also endow the Golf with a long-legged feel. 

Besides going full pelt on the high-speed track, we also drove the Golf GTI around the handling circuit at the NATRAX where the car showed its true colours as a hot hatch. It is a front wheel drive car but also gets a limited slip differential which works wonders around corners and helps in keeping understeer in check even when you mash the throttle. The wide tyres offer lots of grip even at the limit and help the car hold a line, adding to the joy of given the Golf GTI the stick, while the steering offers plenty of feel and feedback. Overall, this hot hatch loves going around corners, even though it is a little heavy, with a kerb weight of 1,454kg. The Golf also feels like a typical Volkswagen when driven calmly and should be excellent as a daily driver. On the same note, the suspension feels firm like we’ve come to expect of Volkswagens, but despite the underlying firmness I’m expecting the Golf GTI to offer a good ride quality on typical Indian roads. 

My seat time in the Golf GTI at the NATRAX, be it sitting at its top speed, pedal to the metal, or pushing it around the corners of the handling circuit helped me understand what makes it so iconic. 50 years ago, Volkswagen’s engineers decided to turn the Golf, the humble Beetle’s spiritual successor, into a more engaging and fun to drive car and created the GTI. And over the past five decades the Golf GTI has become a global icon, thanks to its engine performance, sporty handling and fun factor. And the Mk 8.5 launched in India embodies those characteristics to the proverbial T. No wonder the 150 units allocated to India (it comes in via the CBU route) got sold out immediately – despite the asking price of Rs 53 lakh ex-showroom! 

The post 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI First Drive Review first appeared on Turbocharged.

The Golf GTI gets its power from Volkswagen’s trusty EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. In this particular application, the engine churns out 265PS and 370Nm. Volkswagen’s signature 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox handles shifting duty and transmits the power to the front wheels only. An electronic limited-slip differential on the front-axle helps maximise grip and the 0-100kmph dash is dispatched in 5.9 seconds. The Golf GTI is electronically limited to a top speed of 250kmph. 

The car gets GTI-specific red highlights and a smattering of GTI badges outside. The LED matrix headlights have automatic headlight control, and both units are connected by an LED light strip right above the grille. The Volkswagen badge is also illuminated. The front bumper also gets five LED fog lights arranged in an X-shaped honeycomb pattern at both ends. 18-inch “Richmond” alloy rims get a diamond-turned finish and slot in well into the large wheel arches. The rear is made interesting by large LED taillights with multiple elements and twin exhausts finished in chrome.

Inside, the new Golf GTI gets a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen—which controls most of the car’s tech features including its 7-speaker audio system—perched atop the dashboard. There’s a 10.25-inch digital display with customisable themes and graphics for the driver. Red stitching on the upholstery, red highlights on the steering and tartan fabric inserts on the GTI-branded sports seats are a nod to the legacy of the Mk 1 Golf GTI. Remember, the first-gen came out in 1976, which makes it legal to import to India next year. A large sunroof ensures airiness. Oh, and it also packs in ADAS features such as lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

It is truly mind-boggling that despite having well-known performance models in their international line-ups, most manufacturers don’t bother with limited imports except Volkswagen, bringing power to the people and living up to its name.

The post Volkswagen Golf GTI Launched at ₹53 lakh first appeared on Turbocharged.

The past few years have seen Volkswagen up the ante in terms of setting enthusiasts’ pulses racing with its TSI-powered cars. And last year, with the announcement of its ‘Volkswagen Experiences’ the manufacturer came up with a unique initiative that allows its customers and petrolheads (like us, automotive journalists!) to do more with its cars than just enjoy the affable performance and dynamics Volkswagens are known for. Volkswagen Experiences thus became a gateway for us to experience and explore our own country in a manner we’ve not done before. We’ve been a regular with the program since its inception, but while last year Volkswagen Experiences had us drive to the rooftop of the world, this time around, things were different.

This time, we teamed up with Volkswagen India to set a new national record, in its latest SUV for the Indian market, the Tiguan R-Line. The Tiguan R-Line is Volkswagen’s new flagship in India and is the Tiguan’s sportiest, grandest and most premium version yet. Now, the Tiguan is an SUV I’ve driven extensively and done a lot with – be it visiting Jawai in Rajasthan, a place that’s one of the only ones on the planet to be co-inhabited by human beings and leopards together, or teaming up with British ultra-runner Will Robinson as he ran 700km across India, from the country’s east coast to the west coast. So a chance to be a part of a team of journalists that’s setting a new national record was something I simply couldn’t resist.

The idea was to create a new record – for the fastest drive from the Gateway of India in Mumbai to the India Gate in Delhi, in a convoy. And that’s why we had not one, not two, not even four, but six Tiguan R-Lines being driven together! En route, the convoy would also visit some of the country’s most iconic landmarks. And we at TURBOCHARGED drove the Tiguan R-Line from the Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Baroda to the Monsoon Palace in Udaipur. In case you didn’t know, Lakshmi Vilas Palace is the largest private residence in the world and is four times the size of the Buckingham Palace! It sits on a sprawling landmass of over 500 acres and blends Indian, Islamic and European styles of architecture. And besides the vastness, it’s the striking architecture of the palace that is spell-binding.

On the other hand, Udaipur’s Monsoon Palace sits perched atop a hill just outside the city and is known for the stunning views it offers, of the city, and also the Aravalli Hills it is surrounded by. It is yet another architectural marvel and is known for its tall towers, balconies and overall architecture that reflects the grandeur and luxury that palaces in the state of Rajasthan are known for. Admittedly, these two palatial buildings were also complimenting the all-new Tiguan R-Line brilliantly given the SUV’s grander and more premium positioning as Volkswagen’s new flagship in India. Its design language is all-new, interiors are a lot more premium and the performance and dynamics are a lot better than before too. That’s besides the fact that Rajasthan is home to some of India’s best driving roads, some excellent highways and brilliant country roads too.

So driving a premium SUV that’s as sporty as the Tiguan R-Line in the state, with Volkswagen’s refined and powerful 2.0-litre TSI engine under its hood, along with the famed Dynamic Chassis Control to enhance its handling is no less than a tick on the bucket list for enthusiasts. More importantly, what you see here is the all-new, third generation Tiguan, and India gets it in the sportier, R-Line trim that’s inspired by the manufacturer’s high performance R models. The headlamps deserve a special mention for their sleek design and inclusion of Volkswagen’s IQ Light HD Matrix lights, that can deploy 38,400 multi-pixel LEDS for optimum illumination. The new grille also looks very sleek and incorporates the letter R, hinting at the SUV’s sportier genes, while the front bumper is an appealing looking mesh finished in gloss black.

The Tiguan R-Line also looks sportier from the sides thanks to its curvier silhouette, while the rear end boasts an all-new design with striking looking tail lamps connected by an LED strip. And the fact that the R-Line is the grandest, sportiest and most tech-laden avatar of the premium SUV for India yet made our drive even more special. The 2.0-litre TSI engine offers an even higher 204PS and 320Nm now, sent to all four wheels via Volkswagen’s famed 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. And with its kind of performance, swift responses from the 7-speed DSG and also the SUV’s sporty handling, be it around corners or on the highways, the Tiguan R-Line was also adding a sense of occasion to our drive, as we bolted from one royal palace to another. 

But besides a good engine and dynamics, the one thing that matters a lot, especially on long drives like the one we were on, is the ambience inside the cabin. And the Tiguan R-Line has the plushest and most modern looking cabin we’ve seen on any Volkswagen in India yet. That’s because the Tiguan R-Line feels plush, spacious and very upmarket from inside. The sunroof is massive and a panoramic one that adds to the cabin’s sense of roominess while the seats are spacious, rich-looking and very comfortable, whether you’re sitting in the front, or relaxing at the back. Of course, this being the R-Line trim you get exclusive, sporty looking front seats that do their bit to add to the car’s sportiness.

Another big highlight is the all-new dashboard that has a more upright design. The gloss black plastic panels, which also integrate ambient lighting on the dashboard and door panels, help the cabin look very premium along with the soft touch leather surfaces, while the upright stance of the dashboard and the steering wheel with a flat bottom offer a very sporty feel. The design of the ambient lighting looks cool and very unique, and you can customise the lighting too, with over 30 colour options and multiple combinations to choose from. You also get three-zone climate control in the Tiguan R-Line, which adds to convenience for rear seat occupants as well. The Tiguan R-Line isn’t just high on the premium quotient though, it’s a tech-fest.

And when I say technology, I’m talking about stuff like a massive, 15-inch touchscreen, besides the 10.25-inch high resolution display for the Digital Cockpit Pro which functions as the driver’s display, and a head-up display as well. The Digital Cockpit Pro offers multiple customisation options, allowing you to tailor the information you want to see, thanks to Volkswagen’s latest, fourth generation modular infotainment system. And this freedom to customise everything on the technology front is an even bigger joy on the 15-inch infotainment screen. There’s tonnes of options and formats to choose from, and multiple pages to swipe between. You can also choose to view crucial information about the SUV on the screen like the steering angle, tyre pressures and more on the go.

The 15-inch screen is also a big help in terms of letting you view navigation and maps easily while driving, besides which, you can of course choose to view navigation commands on the Digital Cockpit Pro or head-up display. Another cool feature is that you get not one, but two wireless charging pads, hidden very smartly and neatly under a storage flap. This is besides the multiple, fast-charging, Type-C USB ports you have at the front and rear. The Tiguan R-Line is also equipped with stuff like the built-in IDA voice assistant that’s interactive and quick to respond to commands, besides a voice enhancer that amplifies and plays the driver’s voice through the speakers onboard to help rear passengers hear the driver better. These are besides the high-end music system onboard, equipped with 8 speakers. 

The R-Line-specific front seats look sporty but are extremely comfortable to spend long hours in as I discovered on my drive from Baroda to Udaipur. Oh, and the driver and front passenger seats also have a massage function and pneumatically adjustable lumbar support, features you’ve probably seen only on high-end luxury SUVs previously. The seats certainly helped in making my long drive very comfortable! With so much on offer in terms of technology and comfort, the Tiguan R-Line was helping us munch miles effortlessly. The roads only got better in Rajasthan, allowing us to enjoy our time behind the wheel even more. The icing on the cake though is the Tiguan R-Line’s Dynamic Chassis Control which includes adaptive suspension that adapts to road conditions to reduce body roll around corners or soak up undulations better as and when needed. 

I was thus able to make the most of the Tiguan R-Line’s sporty handling, as it holds its lines around corners very well and offers lots of confidence, adding to the joy of driving enthusiastically. But this isn’t surprising at all as Volkswagen’s SUVs, and the Tiguan for the matter, always handle sharp and true, and the new Tiguan R-Line takes that tradition forward very well. At the same time, it feels very plush and comfortable despite us driving over varied terrain and ever-changing road surfaces, thanks to the suspension adapting to it all quickly. This, coupled with the plush comfort offered by the well-cushioned seats ensure the Tiguan R-Line is an excellent machine to make light of long road trips. And when we made it to Udaipur, shortly before the sun was about to go down, it didn’t really feel like we had been driving all day long, thanks to the SUV’s excellent comfort. 

In a nutshell, Volkswagen has always brought down its globally renowned products and technologies to India, and the Tiguan R-Line is a great example of the manufacturer’s intent to offer its best to Indian buyers, yet again. For the matter, we always enjoy driving to and in Rajasthan, but the Tiguan R-Line ensured this particular road trip was a class apart with its excellent comfort and tech-laden cabin. It’s an SUV that feels so much better than the version it replaces and takes things a couple of notches ahead for the Tiguan nameplate in India for sure.

The post Special Feature: A cross-country drive that’s ‘Beyond Iconic’, with Volkswagen Experiences first appeared on Turbocharged.

Outside, the generation change brings about curvier body lines, which are accentuated by the blacked-out sporty elements and chrome inserts on the bumpers as well as the all-LED lighting. The cabin gets a thorough re-design in line with Volkswagen’s current interior design language and features a layered design, soft-touch materials and a bevy of tech upgrades. A 15-inch central touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital driver’s cluster, head-up display, front sports seats with massage function, triple-zone climate control and panoramic sunroof are just some of the highlights.

The Tiguan R-Line is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to Volkswagen’s 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. The engine is an updated ‘EVO’ unit and now produces 204PS and 320Nm, which is a 14PS jump in the power output. Multiple drive modes are available to match different driving conditions. The SUV also boasts a 5-star EURO NCAP safety rating and an enhanced active and passive safety suite, which includes nine airbags and a Level-2 ADAS system. It can also park itself courtesy of its advanced parking assistance system. At its price point, the Tiguan R-Line will compete with the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, BMW X1 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA.

The post Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line Launched at ₹49 lakh first appeared on Turbocharged.