Report - VW could triple SUV lineup to increase global sales
VW does not have immense presence in the crossover and SUV segment. Europe's largest carmaker has only two products - Tiguan and Touareg - spaced well apart from each other. In a bid to increase global sales, VW could triple its SUV lineup to six products, sources told AutoNews.
According to analysts, crossovers/SUVs would account for 20 percent of global production by 2018, as compared to 18 percent in 2012. The segment is pretty important in India as well, and many manufacturers, including VW, have already outlined their goals to compete.
VW displayed its updated Taigun concept at the Auto Expo in February this year. The Taigun is a crossover based on the VW Up!'s platform, and measures under 4 meters in length. Powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, the Taigun has all the characteristics to rival the Ford EcoSport. VW's entry-level crossover will come in 2016.
At the subsequent Geneva Motor Show in March this year, the T-ROC crossover had its world debut. Based on the seventh generation Golf platform, the T-ROC would slot below the Tiguan in VW's crossover lineup. The T-ROC was shown with a 2.0-liter TDI engine good for 184 hp and 380 Nm of torque.
Apart from these entry-level models, VW is working on a replacement for the current Tiguan that is based on the previous generation Golf. The new Tiguan launching in sometime in the next two years would have a coupe and seven-seater in the variant family, earlier reports have stated.
VW Taigun - Image Gallery
[Source - AutoNews]