Report - VW pleased with response for Taigun, green lights it for production
According to a recent report published on Brazilian website CarPlace Brazil, Volkswagen is pleased with the positive response received from showcasing the Taigun compact SUV in Brazil and has planned for its production.
The reports elucidates that although the Taigun had its mechanicals in place and wasn't purely an exterior design study, production is likely to start only after 2.5 years of further development.
The Taigun is based on the Up! platform and like the Ford EcoSport, the Brazilian market will get it before the rest of the world.
The SUV model would share the assembly line with the Up! (local arrival in 2014), at Volkswagen's factory in Taubaté, Sao Paulo. VW India has just told IndianAutosBlog.com that unless localization reaches 90%, the VW Up! may not launch. We don't think 90% localization is possible without an engine plant, which should take not less than a year to construct.
For Brazil, CarPlace insists that a 1.0L naturally aspirated engine with 75hp would be the range starter. A 1.0L TSI engine with 110bhp is also discussed in the scoop story. For the Taigun to beat the EcoSport or Duster, we think a four cylinder diesel engine displacing under 1.5L iis necessary in India. Volkswagen can downsize its 1.6L engine that motors the VW Vento and Skoda Rapid, to fill up the Taigun's engine bay.
The transmission could be a six-speed manual and though a 4×4 variant is technically feasible, the Taigun would strictly be a FWD.
The Taigun will be smaller than the EcoSport with dimensions of 3.86 m length, 1.73 m width and 1.57 m height, sporting a wheelbase of 2.47 m. The EcoSport in contrast measures 4.24 m long, 1.76 m wide and 1.62 m high, with a wheelbase of 2.52 m.
CarPlace expects the 280 liter trunk space to be carried over along with the split tailgate. The cabin would be a carry over of the Up! with the same seats, dashboard and trims.
CarPlace also asks us to expect simplified Skoda and SEAT versions of the Taigun.