Tiger, Iguana Prowess Combined in VW Tiguan

Volkswagen formulated another SUV entry for 2008 that spells bold and exotic. The concept vehicle is dubbed as Tiguan, a peculiar name coined from tiger and leguan (German word of iguana). Said name was elected by some 350,000 readers of Germany’s Auto Bild magazine. VW Tiguan debuted at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show held last month.

VW Tiguan is a Golf/Rabbit-based concept that hosts a wide variety of powertrain combinations. One of which is the 50-state-compliant 2.0-liter diesel. Said engine will also be incorporated to other VW vehicles like the 2008 Rabbit and Jetta. The engine produces 140 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. Other engine options include the current 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and 280-hp 3.6-liter V-6.

"It was very important to us to have the car appear powerful. Muscular. For us that had a higher priority than anything else", says Klaus Bischoff, head of the Design Centre in Wolfsburg. He continues, "An offroader needs a long hood and an upright position. That lends the vehicle self-assuredness and power."

VW Tiguan measures 4.4 metres long, 1.85 m wide and 1.69 m high. The size of the 4x4 concept Tiguan can be likened to that of Touran compact MPV. Tiguan is powered by sophisticated car parts Volkswagen aftermarket and OEM. Under its hood is a diesel engine called BLUETEC. The latter was developed in partnership with Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The technologies used in designing Audi and Mercedes-Benz auto parts play a great part in making Tiguan powerful and influential.

BLUETEC, as a fact, uses 'Clean TDI' – which is compliant with the emissions standards in the world. BLUETEC also uses NOx storage catalytic converter, which is capable of reducing nitrogen oxides by up to 90 percent compared to other diesel units.

Car parts accessories for Volkswagen Tiguan include the breathtaking panoramic sunroof, vintage style black leather seats, steeply sloping tailgate, dark-anodized metallic tone front grille, dominant cross fins, and more. To complete the appeal of Tiguan, it is given a unique tyre design with orange radial stripe underneath the profile.

More Tiguan details will be divulged by the automaker in the first quarter of 2007. The compact SUV is scheduled to go on sale in the United Kingdom in 2008.

As a former news correspondent for an auto-related website, Stacey has gathered extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry. This 34 year old mother of two from Memphis is a genuine car lover.