Volkswagen Tiguan facelift teaser hints at new 'dynamic' design

Volkswagen has released a new design sketch of the Tiguan SUV facelift, ahead of its international unveiling this summer.

The second-generation Tiguan was launched in 2016 and has become the firm’s bestselling nameplate in some international markets. The regular Tiguan will receive the refresh first, followed by a makeover of the Allspace version soon after. A hot R performance version is also on the cards.

The sketch, shown as part of a presentation by VW Tiguan marketing boss Hendrick Muth, hints at a new grille and front bumper design to bring the model in line with the latest design trends of Volkswagen’s combustion-engined models.

According to Muth, the facelifted Tiguan will offer “a big change in terms of design, with a totally new front” that will give it a “more dynamic” appearance. It will also feature LED front and rear lights as standard, with Volkswagen’s matrix LED ‘IQ Lights’ available as options.

Muth confirmed that the interior will be updated with the latest “digital and connected technology”, in similar fashion to the 8-generation Golf and new Passat. That will include the latest version of VW’s infotainment system and, as with those two models, will likely mean a significant reduction in the use of physical buttons and switches.

Volkswagen has already confirmed that the new-look Tiguan will gain a GTE plug-in hybrid version, and it will also use the latest Evo versions of the TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines introduced with the latest Golf. Both petrol and diesel feature a number of revisions to reduce emissions, including twin-dosing technology on the TDI units.

The company will simplify the trim line-up for the Tiguan, but will include a “more expressive” R-Line version.

Although Muth didn't comment directly about the Tiguan R, which was recently spied testing at the Nürburgring, he said there will be “some highlights on the performance side”, and that “it will come very soon after launch and early in the life cycle. Be prepared, and be excited.”

Although Volkswagen has not announced any official plans or timeline to bring the new Tiguan to India, it recently launched the Tiguan Allspace in a fully loaded trim, priced at Rs 33.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Pan-India).