Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI on sale in Malaysia!
Volkswagen Malaysia has unveiled the Volkswagen Tiguan to the press yesterday, a prelude to a nationwide launch that will be held on this coming 18th of October. The Tiguan was launched in the European market in the mid of 2007 and has since entered other markets to other countries such as Russia and Singapore.
Now you may be wondering what Tiguan means. It’s apparently derived from from two animals – Tiger and Iguana. The power of a tiger and the off-roading capabilities of an iguana, it seems.
Look after the jump for more details on the new Volkswagen Tiguan.
Volkswagen has prepared this new compact SUV with 4MOTION full-time all wheel drive and a choice of 5 engines – three petrol powered versions and two diesel units, all mated to either a 6 speed manual or a 6 speed automatic.
Volkswagen did not fit the appealing DSG twin clutch transmission to the Tiguan because according to them, its not well suited for off road use. The DSG does not creep, unlike a conventional automatic. It is offered in three variants – the basic Trend & Fun, the mid range Sports & Style, and the high range variant with full amenities; the Track & Field.
Volkswagen Malaysia is only offering the top of the range Track & Field version, powered by the new EA888 2.0 liter TSI turbocharged direct injected engine that is now driven with a timing chain instead of a timing belt. The engine is mated to a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic.
The 200hp motor propels the 5-seater from 0 to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds to a top speed of 207 km/h. The Tiguan also promises an easy drive with minimal effort around town with promising torque figures of 280 Nm across the 1700-5000rpm range.
The Track & Field variant is more off-road oriented compared to the other two models with a 28 degrees approach angle instead of 18 degrees, modified driving pedal characteristic which basically adjusts pedal sensitivity at different driving conditions, EDS (Electronic Differential Lock System), hill descent assistance, and a gear pre-select function which keeps it in low gear with an engine braking feature.
The Tiguan is chock-full of many other features which really help improve its value proposition. Just to name a few, these include dual zone automatic climate controls, automatic low beam function, cruise control, immobilizer, flat tire indicator, parking brake with auto hold function, speed-dependent power steering and the very cool Parallel Parking Assistant which enables driver to let go off the steering wheel and watch the car get into the parking spot on its own!
Once enabled, sensors around the car will determine distances all round and once ready the car maneuvers itself leaving only the braking and acceleration to the driver, its that easy. VeeDub claims that it would have allowed the computers to do the braking and acceleration as well but prefers to leave some work for the drivers. In fact, the steering wheel is also fitted with a sensor, which disables the entire system once touched. They also claim that it takes about 15 seconds for the Tiguan to get itself parked. The parking space has to be 1.4 meters longer than the length of the car, which is just under 4.5 meters long. That means a 6 meter long parking space.
On the inside, the main attraction would be the touch screen center panel which displays all relevant information. Passengers and the driver can be entertained with RCD 510 Radio with a 6-CD changer with MP3 playback and AUX input, all played through 8 front and rear speakers. The ISOFIX rear seats are of course foldable. The passenger front seat has electrically adjustable lumbar support while there is full electric seat adjustment for the driver’s seat.
Safety features include ABS, ASR (anti-slip regulator), comfort brake assist, EBD, ESP, and EDTC (Engine Drag Torque Control). There’s also a curtain airbag system for front and rear passengers including side airbags at the front, apart from standard driver’s and front passenger airbag with deactivation.
The Tiguan is being sold at RM249,888 in the local market. Its rivals would be the rather spartan Toyota RAV4 (RM204k) and the BMW X3 (RM320k). There is also the Mercedes-Benz GLK but Stuttgart has decided that car would only be offered in left hand drive so it won’t be introduced into our market.
The Tiguan has better performance figures than the sedate RAV4 and its just a shy 18bhp lower than the X3’s delicious 2.5 liter straight-six, but Tiguan has slightly more torque across a much more tractable range.
The official fuel consumption figures for the Tiguan isn’t bad either, at 9.9 liters for every 100 km traveled. I hope to test this if I manage to get a test unit from Volkswagen Malaysia.
PHOTO GALLERY: Volkswagen Tiguan
Click thumbnails to view high resolution photo
October 17, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
Offroad Golf GTi …..nice
October 17, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
Wow mini rocket SUV !! Nice !
October 17, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
dude why there is nothing about BMW Z0 in ur blog yet … im in the owen now man
October 17, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
A vehicle’s name coming from combination of animals name? and this is coming from VW? wow, I could’ve imagine the comments (more like bashings..) if it’s to be Proton’s new car’s name…
October 17, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
This is truely a MALE vehicle…. see, no sexy lady poser..
October 17, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
I don’t like the center console because it looks cheap..but I like the car exterior styling.
October 17, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
better to get this car than gti..due to msia road..lol
October 17, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
Cool, a VW that sounds like its made in China. Tiguan is more suited for a panda’s name, IMO.
October 17, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
How’s this for a new Proton MPV if we’re to combine animals name;
Proton HALDAI (Harimau & Kaldai)
- harimau being a Proton’s emblem and
- kaldai being a person or goods mover.
October 17, 2008 @ 3:50 pm
u can take out the emblem if u dont like the tiguan name..put la your own name there..kihkih
October 17, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
the center console looks like made in china vehicle man…..
October 17, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
does anyone thinks that the steering wheel looks like the myvi’s one?
October 17, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
FYi the name Tiguan came from the result of a German Off-roader magazine poll of 350k readers. Be glad “Tiguan” won, the runner ups were “Nanuk”, Namib” and “Rockton”
October 17, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
haha, is this the tiguan launch in bangsar?
sad they dont give out the dsg
October 17, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
huh??? Nanuk? Namib?Rockton? wat da @#$% name is dat? Like some already pupus dinasour name or rare tribe name from africa..
October 17, 2008 @ 6:20 pm
tiger and iguana, haha, brilliant….
not bad, looks better than Rush and the cacat Actyon….
and its a VW…..
October 17, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
nanuk sounds like nyanyuk (alzheimer)..hehe
October 17, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
db8 said,
October 17, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
better to get this car than gti..due to msia road..lol
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Actually it will appeal more East Malaysian car buyers especially to Sabahan, we just love this kind of cars, sedan and mini compact is not suitable here due to deplorable road condition and rough terrain here.
October 17, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
I just struggled through 3 deep floods in Mont Kiara and Hartamas. I wished I was driving something like the Tiguan.
October 17, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
VW trying to dig in to the Msian SUV market. Let’s see how that goes.
I think the mindset will still be with mainstream Japanese SUVs CR-V/RAV4 and the likes. However the thought of having owning an European car for a very slight premium would be tempting for most.
Daft dashboard though. I’m sure they could’ve ripped off some of audi’s dashboards or go up to big daddy and get some off Porsche.
October 17, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
It is way too expensive… Tiguan suppose to be CRV rival but VW Malaysia seems to be too desperate to make VW a prestige brand… They always sell cars which are lot more expensive compared to others…
October 17, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
nice bt very funny pricetag…haha
October 17, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
The price tag is actually not too bad. You compare the price tag with the closest CBU SUV’s, namely the RAV4 and the X3. The RAV4 like the author wrote here is very spartan and the quality of the Tiguan is a whole class ahead of the RAV4. Plus the RAV4’s performance cannot touch the Tiguan. Then you look at the next SUV up and that is the X3 which the Tiguan’s quality is more than comparable to. And the Tiguan is still faster and more economical! The RAV4 was Europe’s best selling SUV for something like the past six years. This year the Tiguan became the number 1 selling SUV.
October 17, 2008 @ 11:16 pm
remind me of Santa-fe or…the other way around???
October 18, 2008 @ 12:04 am
wowo, looks kinda like the qashqai especially rear lights.
but the equipment list is sweet.
at that price, even the x3 also cant beat it.
October 18, 2008 @ 12:14 am
rav4 already consider a premium suv already with its price tag
and come with a 7 airbags also ,and japan made also
vw always put their pricing way too much for its class
passat is same class with camry ,accord , 407
and nw even the 407 is selling 134k only , cbu model also sell 16xk only
why the same level passat sell for 220k ??? while its competitor is selling at 134k to 170k . its same class car .
good quality does’t mean it should sell more expensive then it rival and the price are almost 100k expensive then crv ???
and this car is selling in england for 23k only,which is around rm150k
and most important is that ,the spec is almost the same
October 18, 2008 @ 1:14 am
VW has always been sold at a premium to the Japanese and French makes.
Plus I don’t think they are priced too high considering what you you get. Yes, the Passat competes with the Camry, Accord, and 407, but it also competes with the other German makes, ie the C-Class and 3 series. Just sit in a Passat and any of the Japanese and even Frenchmodels and anyone will tell you there is a big difference in quality and feel. Plus the Passat offers heaps better performance ride quality than any of them. You get what you pay for.
And the logic of comparing a high spec Tiguan (CBU with import duties) to the local spec CKD CRV is kind of pointless.
October 18, 2008 @ 1:39 am
When comes to quality and performance, suv like crv and rav4 are just far too behind of Tiguan.Add on, this car is CBU from germany, how on earth can u camparing this car with those…
October 18, 2008 @ 3:01 am
Loved the SUV. Interior is very ML like feeling. Very upmarket for a 250k. Top it up with full time 4Motion.Heaps of safety systems in place. What is all this comparison with CRV and RAV4 la. You will know it when you get yourself in a difficult situation and trying to get out from it. It is a combination of the various systems in this SUV that is working together in that split second that will save your life. Whats the big diff? You can still steer the vehicle.
For the meantime, i sit and drool and got to drive the Outlander for a bit longer.
October 18, 2008 @ 3:07 am
Paul. A cheaper substitute to your flood worries is the pickup. 4X4 , high riding. Below 100k. You will smile thru the rain in the Klang Valley.
October 18, 2008 @ 3:14 am
pricey and launched at a time like this?
October 18, 2008 @ 3:28 am
Wonder if VW Malaysia will bring in the turbo diesel version.
October 18, 2008 @ 8:53 am
yeah i think this car is better choice than the toureg.of coz toureg is bigger but the price is double than tiguan..
October 18, 2008 @ 9:34 am
currently i am driving a japanese sedan…. would like to upgrade to
something like accord or camry… but my heart still goes to owning
a SUV one day…. …CRV is a natural choice…. too bad the RAV4
is priced to expensive !! don’t know why no other Japanese marques
tries to assemble small SUV(like RAV4) for the ASEAN market..
I am sure it will be a hit !!!
(one thing the cost of ownership of a suv definetely higher…petrol
consumption higher, car wash price higher,….tyre cost almost
double sedan cars !…etc)
October 18, 2008 @ 11:16 am
Cannot compare CRV or RAV4 with this Tiguan, too much difference. To me, the overpriced on is RAV$ !! CRV is also slightly overpriced, considering its SOHC and fabric seats. This Tiguan is good in every aspect except perhaps the steering wheel which looks a bit cheap. For me I will choose Tiguan compared to BMW 318/320.
October 18, 2008 @ 11:32 am
Agree with DRC, I’m also think that the steering wheel looks is rather cheap and the Tiguan interior is not something you should shout about. Exterior wise, it quite good looking. As for the choice of owning a VW badge and to get through the famous KL flash flood, I’ll just rather pick the VW Crosspolo as it doesn’t price that much and I think it can get the job done as well! Unless, if you want an extra grunt (more torque and hp) with some class and looks…then the Tiguan is the perfect choice for you…simple! Cheers!
October 18, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
On our shores at last! This is super sweet! Sadly the same can’t be said about the price… =/
October 18, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
So anyone can tell me the cheapest, most effective car to drivein KL’s flood/dry driving conditions? This Tiguan is rather nice for city dweller ownership.
October 18, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
Question is, could they make any profit if they sell it at a lower price?
October 18, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
Get a CRV and save the extra money in the bank. And Tiguan sounds lame.
October 18, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
I think one should not base their opinion on the interior photos of the Tiguan posted here. I am sure with the time constraints at the press event, lighting would not have been a priority and hence the ‘cheap’ looking interior. The full frontal flash makes the materials look much cheaper than it really is. The only way to form a proper opinion on the Tiguan interior is to actually go see it for yourself. It really is very high quality. And VW does make some of the best steering wheels on the market. Very fine leather and the shape fits well in your hands.
October 18, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
mukhri88 said,
October 18, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
So anyone can tell me the cheapest, most effective car to drivein KL’s flood/dry driving conditions? This Tiguan is rather nice for city dweller ownership.
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either you buy a 2nd hand 1st gen. kembara(really cheap now), or go get an old FJ diesel landcruiser or something for less than RM10k, fit a snorkel, and you’ll be able to wade thru even 3-4ft of water!!
October 19, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
the steering wheel is ghastly. should have given it gti’s wheel. and maybe diff design interior wise to the aging golf.
October 20, 2008 @ 7:13 pm
does it have the auto park mode?
October 21, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
I believe Mr. Paulvinder did mention about it in the article….
October 22, 2008 @ 6:26 am
the most fugliest VW. Id rather get a Polo..or a Lupo.
Its like the Mercedes GLK, it looks like an oversized dog head on a puppy body. My neighbours have it and seeing it in the garage is pure agony. Get a Polo…atleast.
October 23, 2008 @ 11:51 pm
hey there…. i know that audi and vw is in the same family….but which one is better between the vw tiguan and audi q5…any comment on this matter
September 2, 2009 @ 3:50 pm
i m driving a 3 doors Rav4 and you just can’t compare a japanese made car with European made! the handling and comfortness is sooo much different…
i m thinking of upgrading to Harrier eventually…yet it is still a jap made. with Tiguan as an alternative…i will definitely go for it