08 Jan 07
Volkswagen's Tiguan hasn't changed since it was first revealed to the public last year, and there's no reason why it should - because it looks spot-on already. The Golf-based SUV currently to be seen at the Detroit Motor Show doesn't go on sale until next year, but when it does it's certain to be a big seller. Not sexy, not clever, but it doesn't take a crystal ball to tell you that it's a surefire hit.
It's very similar in size to the Touran, the Golf-based seven-seater, but the Tiguan is strictly a five-seater, like the Golf Plus. Its mini-Touareg styling should, however, minimise the risk of confusion among potential customers.
The concept wears bright orange stitching in its interior leather, and there's orange in the tyre treads, but otherwise most of what you see looks like the finished product: a little brother for the Touareg and a very strong rival for the Toyota RAV4, Land Rover Freelander and Honda CR-V.
Under the bonnet, the concept car features a diesel engine using Bluetec - the pollutant-zapping technology pioneered by Mercedes-Benz but now also being used by Audi and VW. It complies with the world's strictest emissions standards, which means the Tiguan will be available throughout all 50 of the United States, just as large numbers of Americans are starting to appreciate the charms of diesel engines.
