Volkswagen Tiguan test drive since 2008 SUV

Volkswagen Tiguan - the perfect crossover?

With the new compact crossover VW Tiguan, we met in Hungary. In our market, it will appear only in the spring, so that everyone interested in cars of this format will think time. Although what is there to think ...
 

For a long time he hesitated by Volkswagen with the release of a compact crossover. Prepared thoroughly, comprehensively. In order to slowly and slowly go down the mountain and show what he is capable of. The product turned out to be traditionally Volkswagenovsky: balanced, solid, moderate. Do you want a fan-piva-Bezmiya? Buy yourself something else. Do you want a daily guaranteed pleasure from having an almost perfect crossover? Then choose the VW Tiguan.
 







There is a clear thing, and there are spots in the sun, but we will still start not with them.
 

No matter what techies and pragmatists say, appearance matters. Even when the tires are purchased, more than half of customers primarily pay attention to the design of the tread, and not to technical characteristics. So, Tiguan is not among the photo models that are good in the photo and are scary in life. It is exactly the same as in the pictures, it looks expensive, solid, moderately stylishly, moderately off -road and compactly. The car is really small in 4.43 m in length. One of the shortest in his class. In the parking lot, Tiguan is able to fit in a hole from a small car. By the way, as an option, Park Assist is offered a built -in parking robot. With the help of ultrasound sensors, he himself estimates the distance to the nearest objects and at an incredible speed turns the steering wheel. True, the driver himself should press on the pedals. The spectacle is heartbreaking. I myself did not dare to try this parking demon.
 







The shorter the better
The Germans made a strong move. They offered two different modifications of the modification. One has an angle of entry of 18 degrees and an ordinary front bumper, which works primarily for the benefit of aerodynamics, and the other mowed from below, which allows you to take slopes with an angle of 28 degrees. A complete bumper includes an off-road package: protection (mainly plastic), an electronic system for helping the hill is when the car slows down the engine, holding speed within 89 km/h and off-road transmission settings (automatic transmission earlier includes transmission to Reduce the likelihood of slipping). All this is turned on with one button. SUV is called Track & Field.


   

Tiguan offers a dizzying option Park Assist Automatic Sino,
taking the steering wheel in the parking lot


Inside, the new VW is impeccable: high-quality materials, accurate fitting of panels, a simple and understandable climate control system. The instrument panel seems to be borrowed from VW Golf, the skin on the seats is no less good than for Touareg, and most importantly, no design experiments. Yes, it is precisely for the conservatism and efficiency of the interior that adherents of the brand value her.
 

The ergonomics of the driver's place is infinitely changed. The driver’s seat is pushed back so that a two -meter pilot could work with comfort, and also changes the slope of the pillow and, of course, the height. The steering column has an impressive range of adjustments and inclination adjustments. If you tinker a little, you will definitely find the optimal position for yourself. The rear passengers have the opportunity to move the sofa back and forth 16 cm. This, of course, pampering in the second row is not at all crowded, but still nice. As they say in Sicily, the family will be satisfied. And the trunk is large enough, and the loading height is convenient. And most importantly, there are no trifles that sometimes irritate so. Everything is done correctly, clearly, everything is at hand, everything is in place.
 
 
The salon is decorated conservatively and impeccably: excellent finishing materials and the highest build quality
 

On the move, Tiguan is not just good: it is a role model. In Hungary, even asphalt, but it also has different cracks and joints. However, the crossover suspension is configured so that you do not feel any road trifle. This is usually the case on cars with a soft suspension, but in this case, the large potholes of the crossover passes perfectly. In other words, comfort and smoothness on the height. And controllability, which is interesting, is also not to cling to. Accurate reactions, moderately informative steering wheel. At the same time, Tiguan cannot be blamed for excessive acuity or nervousness. No, he is just configured so that it is quite actively riding every day and have fun, but not get tired. However, for those who love hotter, Sport & Style with a stiff suspension will also be offered.
 




The rear seats not only form in parts (who you will surprise), but also move forward and forth


Not a meter without a turbine
Well, what about the dynamics? At the beginning of the test drive, when dividing the cars, we rushed to the version with an off-road bumper, spitting on everything else. The engine on it stood a gasoline 1.4 TSI (150 hp, 240 nm) with two mechanical superchargers and turbo, the box was a 6-speed manual. No issues, programs are turned on to the manual transmission, the range is selected and conveniently selected. But there is no motor, everything is fine on the asphalt: quick acceleration, elasticity is very pleasant sensations. On paper, everything is also beautiful: a maximum of torque can be enjoyed from 1750 rpm and up to 4000 rpm. However, in reality, when we turned from the highway into the forest, everything turned out not quite so. To move, standing on a steep rise, the motor has to be promoted just before 1800 2000 rpm. Otherwise, it is likely that it will stall. However, this is normal for a passenger engine. Just after such a power removed from a ridiculous working volume, we were waiting for some more miracle. But the turbodiesel (2.0, 140 hp, 320 Nm) complete with the automatic transmission, which we tested at an off-road training ground, is perfect for off-road. We stood on an obstacle, chatted in the air with a foot (sorry, wheel) and gently continued movement. The machine has a sports regime and manual switching mode, so that lovers of active drive will not be disappointed. In both cases, the box gives exactly what he promises. And on the highway, the diesel is not much inferior to 1.4 TSI. For you and me, everything rests only on the quality of domestic diesel fuel, but in leading concerns it seems to have pulled up.
 




With quite modest dimensions, VW Tiguan offers both a spacious interior and a roomy trunk. Just some kind of mysticism


The gamut of engines shortly after the start of sales in Europe should be replenished with two more TSI, this time 2-liter 170-horsepower and 200-horsepower. Optionally, they will be completed by automatic transmission. In addition, a 170-horsepower turbodiesel will appear. If you did not pay attention, I emphasize on Tiguan only engines with superchargers will be put. All of them are extremely environmentally friendly and economical.
 

Quick Haldex
Full-wheel drive is implemented on the principle of ON-DEMAND, that is, on demand. When slipping, the electronically controlled clutch Haldex very quickly enters into an invisible battle. Under normal conditions, about 90 percent of the engine power goes to the front axle, but in principle, if the situation requires, the system can throw all horsepower and Newton-meters into the rear wheels. Of course, there is also a conditionally passionate set of intermediate variations. In addition, Tiguan has a very effective anti -bearing system. Like VW Touareg, it brakes losing tight contact with the surface of the wheel.
 

How does all this work in reality? How fast? Let's just say it is quite furry that when diagonal hanging, calmly move and go on. The wheels soaring in the air are just able to start spinning. All this also works on VW Touareg and Audi Q7, but, alas, far from all Tiguan classmates. By the way, about hanging the suspension moves in the car are tiny, very cars. However, in the presence of a correctly working transmission, this becomes unimportant. What do you need, checkers or go? That's it and it.
 




The letters TSI mean belonging to a series of gasoline engines with a boost. In this case, the motor is equipped with a mechanical supercharger and a turbine


True, these European presentations, with all their importance and value, are usually funny in the off -road part. With mud, our Western neighbors are not friends do not love them and do not understand it. And even loose sand was not poured to us, or something. Wait a full dough in the spring when VW Tiguan comes to Russia.
 

Immediately after golf
According to VW marketers, the main consumers of the new model in our country will be the current owners of VW Golf. Relatively young, dynamic, outgrown with a passenger hatchback, but do not want to buy a sedan. I would add from myself the initially dreaming of a crossover, but simply did not have sufficient amounts to buy it.
 

As for prices and quotas, they have not yet been determined. The Russian representative office hopes to hit competitors with all the power, offering a novelty somewhere for $ 35,000. If you can stay at this level, the car will have a great success. True, I am not left by the feeling that real prices will rather fall into the range from $ 35,000 to $ 45,000. But that would not be bad at all ...
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Magazine 4x4 [December/2007]