Volkswagen India has launched the latest global generation of the Tiguan SUV, and it reaches our shores in the guise of the sporty Tiguan R-Line. The automaker has upped the premium quotient of its global bestseller for its third generation. The starting price of the SUV has increased to ₹49.00 lakh compared to the older version, which was priced at ₹38.17 lakh, ex-showroom. This is partly because the Tiguan R-Line will come via the CBU route, whereas the previous generation used to come in as CKD units, and also because the new Tiguan R-Line is a substantial upgrade over the previous generation and comes with a long list of new features.
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.
