We Love Volkswagen's Past, Present And Future..,
The Tiguan pledged Volkswagen's R-Line fraternity way back in 2008, survived the hazing and humiliation to become a certified member of the ancient German trim-package society (by "ancient," we mean 10 years old). The 2014 Tiguan R-Line is the scion of that first-generation compact crossover and joins the Touareg, Beetle and CC in the brotherhood. Driving Notes- On the outside, beyond the badging, R-Line spotters will take note of body-color side skirts, black wheel arch extensions, a roof spoiler, HID headlamps and power folding side mirrors. R-Line interior extras include leather seating surfaces and power front seats along with a flat-bottomed, leather-wrapped steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and aluminum sill plates. The interior is a premium VW affair with leather that exudes all the right vibes and everything else feeling soft to the touch. The choice materials and two-tone instrument panel overcome the minimalism of the center console and the huge sunroof keeping the cabin bright. A very nice Fender audio system is standard, and so is a trial of Volkswagen's new Car-Net connected services suite (the People's Car version of OnStar).
VW charges the Tiguan with "putting the 'Sport' in SUV," crediting it with having the soul of the GTI (but not the same heart), and we didn't scoff at the bombast after a couple of hours behind the wheel. Yet we almost never touched the paddles. That 207 lb-ft of warthog grunt comes on from 1,700 rpm, same as the 200 hp, and the six-speed transmission didn't need help knowing where to be in the rev range when called to attention. For 2014, there are five Tiguan trims, with a healthy price climb from bottom to top. 39,625 with the addition of four Monster Mats, a trunk liner and a first aid kit. That's more money than a base Audi Q5 with the same engine. 7,000 more than a Mazda CX-5 - the first two of those being among the eight vehicles VW lists in the Tiguan's competitive set. All of them have more headroom, legroom and cargo space than the Volkswagen. They are also all down on power compared to the Tiguan, in some cases quite a bit down, and only the Mazda can come close to the driving experience. But the competitors (in four-cylinder guise) do get better gas mileage on less-costly regular fuel. 32,670. It will take more than that to explain the huge disparity in sales between the Tiguan and its competitors, of course. The Tiguan - any Tiguan, but especially the R-line - strikes us as a lifestyle choice in a segment guarded by the twin sentinels of Practicality and Value, those watchmen ready to disembowel the sales of non-conforming competition. The Jetta has sold in five-digit quantities every month since that happened, something that could not be said of it before. In fact, its sales are still climbing two years after it hit the market.
They are available in three versions: as halogen headlights, bi-xenon headlights and for the first time in the world as bi-xenon headlights with Dynamic Light Assist (continuous main beam). Beneath the middle section of the bumper that is painted in body colour are the lower air intakes. In the case of the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid and Touareg V8 TDI, the middle intake is styled with chrome fins and another U-shaped frame. Located in the bumper's lowermost segment are the front fog lights and the radar sensors of the optional adaptive cruise control system (ACC plus Front Assist). Thanks to the lower body height, short overhangs, a dynamic line of side windows and the clear sculpting of its surfaces, in contrast to other SUVs this car's side profile does not in the least have a massive appearance. Just the opposite is the case: Just like on a sports car, the car body tapers slightly in the area of the doors. This results in a partial channelling between the A and C pillars, which captures light and lends a muscular, athletic image to the entire side section.
This character is reinforced by the precise edges of the wheel arches and the rear side section. The side window look that narrows toward the rear corresponds to the rear shoulder section that is prominently sculpted. Also serving as clear SUV characteristics are the rugged wheel arches with their black trim extending toward the wheel wells. Just as beautiful in form as they are practical are the outside mirrors with integrated indicator lights and the door handles that open in the pulling direction and are therefore crash optimised. Even from the rear, the new VW Touareg is immediately recognisable, even without its signature. The reason: Designers took the look of the first Volkswagen Touareg and intentionally developed it further without ignoring the previous model. In this process, Volkswagen styling avoids short-lived effects and is based on a continuous evolution. A strategy, which for example has accompanied the sensational success of the Golf right up to today and makes it simply "inimitable".
