Ford has hit the jackpot with the EcoSport and now Volkswagen is readying its own sub-four-metre SUV contender for India in the form of the Taigun. While an India launch is still some time away, the Taigun will be shown at the New Delhi Auto Expo in February.
The Taigun concept, based on a stretched version of VW’s NSF (New Small Family) platform, also used by the Up hatchback, made its debut at the Sao Paolo International Motor Show in 2012. With its bold, clean styling, the Taigun is sure to appeal to the Indian psyche. It looks a lot less radical than the Ford EcoSport and its less controversial lines are designed to appeal to everyone and offend no one. While the concept shown earlier measured 3,859mm (just under the crucial four-metre mark) in length, Volkswagen is known to be working on a stretched version that will feature a longer wheelbase to free up more interior space, while still keeping the length under four metres. However, it remains to be seen which version of the Taigun will be displayed. As for the cabin, VW has designed it to resemble the simplicity of the latest smartphones. Its clean, minimalist look aims at being visually clear and simple to use.
The concept shown in Sao Paulo came with a 108bhp, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine and this motor could be a possibility for India. VW is also developing a new family of diesel engines and a 1.4-litre, three-cylinder diesel could be India-bound on the Taigun.
Given the popularity of affordable SUVs in India, the Taigun has the potential to change VW’s fortunes in our market when it goes on sale in 2016.