In New Zealand, the Tiguan will be available exclusively with a turbocharged TDI diesel engine. This “high-performance turbocharging” significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions, yet immensely increases dynamics and driving fun.

The TDI diesel engine of the new Tiguan is a completely new development. The stated development goal here was to offer the quietest diesel engines of the class in the Tiguan. The common rail TDI engine uses injection pressures up to 1,800 bar to ensure especially fine atomization of the fuel. The result is 103 kW of power and 320Nm of torque at a low 1,750 rpm.

Last year the European consumer protection organisation Euro NCAP tested the safety of the Tiguan and the results were excellent. The Tiguan continues the tradition established by the Golf, Touran, Passat and Touareg, which have all scored five stars for passenger protection.

When judging a vehicle, the Euro NCAP evaluates three areas of safety: passenger protection, child safety and pedestrian safety. The Tiguan earned five stars for passenger protection, four stars for child safety and two stars for pedestrian protection to lead the overall evaluation in its class.

The numerous high-end technologies available in the Tiguan include the first parallel parking steering assistant implemented in a SUV in the world. The so-called ParkScan function enables automatic backing into a parking space parallel to the roadway. The driver simply actuates the gear selector, accelerator and brake; the Tiguan meanwhile steers into the pre-measured space under sensor control.

At all times, the Tiguan driver is still in control. As soon as there is manual intervention in the steering process, the ParkScan function is deactivated.

Most SUV’s naturally have some offroad capabilities. The Tiguan is no exception with its 4Motion all wheel drive system. The defined development goal was an all-wheel drive that satisfies the highest standards for driving dynamics and driving safety on the road, while simultaneously offering optimal traction off of the paved trails.

As soon as the 4Motion’s Haldex clutch detects slip at the front axle, more engine torque is applied to the rear axle. Normally, 90 percent of the propulsive force is to the front wheels and ten percent to the rear. In extreme cases, however, nearly 100 percent can be transferred to the rear axle.

In New Zealand, the optional ‘Track and Field’ package is specially designed for uncompromising off-road duty. Included is a specific off road front end, designed especially for life outside of the paved trails. Different than its counterparts for the “urban jungle” this particularly adventure-friendly version exhibits a more extreme entry angle of 28 degrees in front. The lower bumper area and engine underbody protection therefore exhibit a very steep angular profile. This is precisely why the vehicle can climb a ramp or level embankment up to the specified 28 degrees without the front end of the Tiguan contacting this ramp when approaching from the horizontal.

Another core component of the optional ‘Track and Field’ package is the ‘Offroad Mode’ in the onboard electronics. Simply activated by a switch, offroad vehicle handling is significantly improved through various offroad support functions. Specifically, the one switch activates the “hill descent assistant” (for optimal control on slopes), “EDS adaptation” (electronic differential locks are activated at the slightest slip), “ABS adaptation” (improved braking action on loose road materials) and in conjunction with the automatic transmission – “gear preselect” (including optimal engine braking action).