New VW Taigo SUV Heading to SA: Local Specs, Details Revealed

The new Volkswagen Taigo (pronounced ‘tie-go’) will join the Volkswagen T SUV model range in South Africa from June 2022. 

The Volkswagen Taigo, which is manufactured in Pamplona, Spain, will join the T-Cross and T-Roc as Volkswagen’s trio of compact SUVs in the A0 SUV segment. Volkswagen’s T SUV range currently consists of five models namely the T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg. 

With the new Taigo, Volkswagen has produced its first SUV coupé in this segment. Highlights of the new Taigo include high-quality equipment features, raised seating position and unrestricted suitability for everyday use. The technical basis of the new Taigo is provided by Volkswagen’s Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB). The MQB platform offers a range of advantages: tight proportions are combined with a high level of body rigidity, excellent crash properties and a low body weight. 

Engine

The 2022 Taigo will be available with the 1.0 TSI engine with 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque. The Taigo’s three-cylinder engine is paired with the 7-speed DSG transmission. Fuel consumption is 5.4 litres / 100 km and it takes just 11.3 seconds to go from 0 to 100km/h. 

Design

The design of the Taigo is characterised by powerful proportions and particularly striking is the coupé silhouette, with its strongly forward-sloping C-pillar. The side view is also characterised by very precise and sharp lines, which, together with the large wheels and offset wheel arch cladding, emphasise the crossover character of the Taigo. The overhang at the rear has been extended to underscore the vehicle’s functionality.

The Taigo has a long roof line which slopes towards the rear, merging into the roof spoiler at the level of the rear window. The window line, surrounded in black, visually lowers the centre of gravity of the Taigo. Among the iconic details is the long band of side windows, including the third side window integrated in the C-pillar and the window line rising sharply towards the rear. It opens up into the precisely cut C-pillar and gives the new SUV coupé a dynamic feel.

The Taigo is flatter and longer than the T-Cross and has a ground clearance of 137 mm. The striking design of the front and rear bumpers also underscores the highly distinctive nature of the new Taigo. The long wheelbase of 2 566 mm gives all passengers a comfortable and slightly elevated seating position. As compared to the Polo and T-Cross, the distance between the axles has been increased by two and three millimetres respectively. Measuring 4 266 mm in length, 1 515 mm in height and 1 757 mm in width, the Taigo has short overhangs that give it a powerful and sporty appearance. 

The luggage compartment volume is an impressive 440 litres and offers almost as much storage space with full seating as the T-Cross with its sliding rear seat (385 to 455 litres). All exterior lighting elements from the headlights to the rear lights feature LED technology as standard

Interior

The entire dash panel of the new Taigo features a horizontal design. This design is largely defined by the modules that the dash panel contains: the standard Digital Cockpit in the Taigo Life or the Digital Cockpit Pro in the Taigo Style and R-Line, as well as the new generation of infotainment systems. The new Taigo is available with a choice of three different infotainment systems: Composition Colour with a 6.5-inch display (standard in the Life), Composition Media with an 8.0-inch display (standard in Style and R-Line) and the optional Discover Media with an 8.0-inch display format. 

The 2-zone climatronic air conditioning (standard in the Style and R-Line) has a new, digitalised mode of operation: touch panels and sliders now perform the functions of rotary knobs and buttons. Located below the air conditioning module are two USB-C ports and, as an option, a compartment for inductive smartphone charging.

The Taigo also features progressive lighting and driver assistance systems, including what VW is calling the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist, Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Side Assist, Lane Assist, Park Assist and more.

The Taigo is available in Life, Style and R-Line versions, which with different aesthetic trimmings, all of which come standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty, 3 year/ 45 000km EasyDrive Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km.

The Taigo is available in eight exterior colours – two solid paint finishes, five metallic paint finishes and one pearl effect finish. All body colours except Deep Black Pearl can be combined with a contrasting black roof. Customers can choose wheel sizes from 16 to 18-inch alloy wheels.

Retail pricing of the Volkswagen Taigo will be announced closer to the launch date.