Volkswagen introduces the Taigo SUV-Coupe in Europe

The crossover comes with two engine options- a 3-cylinder 1.0-litre and a bigger and more powerful four-cylinder 1.5-litre unit. Transmission choices include a 5- or 6-speed manual along with a 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic.

Himanshu Harsh July 30, 2021

2 minutes read

It’s an SUV… It’s a Coupe… It’s SUV Coupe! Volkswagen has introduced its first SUV coupé in Europe in the form of a new compact crossover Taigo. The ‘sporty and vibrant’ looking coupe-SUV is based on the same MQB-A0 platform that underpins the India-spec Volkswagen Taigun. The new Taigo features front-wheel drive, trendy body style, raised seating positions, and advanced connectivity, just like its South American sibling, the Nivus coupe-SUV.

In fact, visually the Volkswagen Taigo totally resembles the Nivus with an exception of a different front bumper and some specs. In terms of dimensions, the crossover measures 4,260mm in length, 1,750mm in width, and 1,490mm in height. In real-life terms, it translates into a slightly longer, narrower, and lower package than the VW T-Roc. With a wheelbase of 2,566 mm, it sits between the regular T-Cross and the T-Cross in its long wheelbase avatar.

The new Taigo SUV-Coupe comes with the standard SUV stance but with an amalgamation of a coupe’s aggressiveness and sporty element. At the front, the Taigo gets a new IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights and an illuminated radiator grille crossbar, just like new Polo models. The front bumper houses the auxiliary grille and LED fog lamps placed at the extreme ends of the bumper.

Coming to the back, it has a set of split LED tail lamps unified by a thin LED strip across the boot line, as seen on the Taigun. Right below the black boot line sits the number plate. The bumper on the rear also flaunts a horizontal chrome insert with a matching silver faux plate at the bottom. The integrated spoiler at the rear is carried forward from the Brazilian-spec Volkswagen Nivus.

Stepping inside the cabin, the new Volkswagen Taigo is equipped gets a 9.2-inch infotainment system on the dashboard. The unit is based on the new MIB3 seen on the European spec Polo and the Golf, which features voice command, cloud-based personalization, and streaming services. Besides these and the climate control settings, which has been borrowed from the European Tiguan facelift and Arteon, the Taigo SUV-Coupe is essentially the Nivus, inside and outside, with wireless charging, a multifunctional steering wheel and a boot capacity of 438-litres. Just like its South American sibling, the European crossover also sits on 18-inch wheels.

Volkswagen is offering the new Taigo Coupe-SUV with two engine options- a 3-cylinder 1.0-litre and a bigger and more powerful four-cylinder 1.5-litre unit. The three-pot is good for 95bhp and 110bhp, while the four-pot churns out 150bhp. Depending on the trim, the crossover comes with a 5- or 6-speed manual along with a 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The German automaker has also packed in numerous latest-generation assistance systems to guarantee optimum comfort and a high level of safety in its crossover. The new SUV-coupe is very similar to other high trim Volkswagen models and comes with assistance systems such as the surroundings monitoring system “Front Assist”, including city emergency brake function, and the lane departure warning system “Lane Assist” as standard. Moreover, the “IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist” is also available as an optional extra, enabling semi-automated driving up to a system-determined top speed of 210 km/h.

As for an India launch, the chances of the Taigo coming to our shores are slim, however, Mahindra developing India’s first coupe-SUV in the form of XUV900 could change the scenario. For now, Volkswagen will be launching the Taigun in the coming months followed by the facelift models of the Tiguan and the Tiguan Allspace.

[divider style=”solid” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]

View the full gallery here:

[tie_slideshow]

[tie_slide][/tie_slide]