Volkswagen T-Cross gains sporty sister all new Taigo
Say hello to the Volkswagen Taigo, a new small SUV with a coupé-roofline that’s closely related to the T-Cross. It’s a direct rival for the Ford Puma, along with svelte crossovers like the Nissan Juke and Hyundai Bayon. Due to go on sale before the end of the year, the Taigo is expected to start from around £22,000 when full pricing and specifications are announced.
Based on the Nivus which is already on sale in South America, the Taigo is 10mm lower than the T-Cross, with a more curved silhouette for a sportier look. Despite this, it still has roof rails to boost practicality. Its bumpers are also different to accomplish the new look, but the Taigo shares its full-width LED rear light bar with its boxy sister car. Based on the MQB-A0 platform, the Taigo will be built at the Pamplona plant in Spain.
Its interior is easily recognisable from the T-Cross, which in turn is based on the Polo supermini. Every version will get a digital instrument display, and there’s a central infotainment touchscreen to handle navigation and media systems. The dashboard fascia will also be available in colourful tones to match the exterior paintwork, giving the Taigo a cheerful interior. Touch-sensitive controls also make an appearance for the climate control system. There’s 438 litres of luggage space behind the rear seats, which isn’t far off the 455 litres of the T-Cross.
Standard kit is expected to include LED headlights and autonomous emergency braking, while top versions will feature IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels and all-round parking sensors. An R-Line version with feature more sporting looks and a set of 18-inch alloy wheels. IQ.Drive Travel Assist will be offered as an option, providing semi-autonomous driving on the motorway. Buyers will also be able to upgrade from the 6.5- inch infotainment screen to larger 8.0- or 9.2-inch displays with Volkswagen’s latest MIB3 software.
Like the T-Cross, the Taigon will just feature front-wheel drive and petrol power. A 1.0-litre turbocharged triple will serve up 94bhp or 109bhp, while a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit will provide 148bhp. Five and six-speed manual gearboxes will be offered, along with an optional seven-speed automatic transmission. Trim levels are expected to follow the latest Volkswagen hierarchy with Life, Style and R-Line editions on offer.
Volkswagen’s fifth T-badged SUV/crossover, the soon-to-arrive Taigo, is a coupé-styled T-Cross
THE FIFTH T
The Volkswagen Taigo, slated to arrive on the South African market in 2022, is the fifth T-badged variant in Volkswagen South Africa’s already extensive SUV/crossover line-up. Based on the Nivus – a product that has experienced great success in the South American market – the Taigo is, in essence, a coupé-styled T-Cross.
Seen here in range-topping R-Line specification level, the Taigo’s front grille incorporates a pair of LED headlamps, replete with daytime-running lights, and front bumper-integrated foglamps. At the rear, an LED light-bar spans the brake-lamp arrays. Adding some sportiness to the R-Line derivative, the Taigo features chrome-finished exhaust pipe housings and a set of 18-inch alloy wheels.
The Taigo R-Line’s cabin features a centrally mounted 9,2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen mirroring, Bluetooth connectivity and a virtual driver’s display. For the climate control system, the Taigo ditches the analogue switchgear found in the T-Cross for touch-enabled buttons.
The Taigo will be sold exclusively in front-wheel drive and offered with the choice of two petrol powertrains, available with a choice of five- or six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions. The 1,0-litre turbo-triple is available in two states of tune, 70 kW and 84 kW, while the 1,5-litre turbocharged four-pot produces 110 kW.