Next VW Tiguan to get seven-seater variant

The second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan made for the international markets, will be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2015 before the start of sales in UK in early 2016, sources have revealed to our sister publication, Autocar UK. The new Tiguan will rival the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga, and be produced in two distinct models.

The initial second-generation Tiguan model features what is described as a standard wheelbase, ie 2605mm and an interior with two rows of seats to accommodate up to five occupants. A second Tiguan model will have a long wheelbase for added rear legroom, and a third row of seats for up to seven occupants. The seven-seater is scheduled to get an airing at the Detroit motor show in early 2016, the same VW engineering sources have confirmed.

The new seven-seater has been conceived primarily for the US, Middle East and China, but will be sold in Europe as part of VW’s plan to position future models further upmarket in a bid to increase profitability. Based around Volkswagen’s flexible MQB platform - as found beneath the latest Golf and newly unveiled European Passat - the second-generation Tiguan is set to receive an extended range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Most models will have the option of 4Motion all-wheel drive in addition to standard front-wheel drive.

Among the engines expected to be offered in the international markets are 1.4-, 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrol units, along with 1.6- and 2.0-litre diesels. A petrol-electric plug-in hybrid is also under development.