VW adding to its SUV lineup—in Europe

By Gary S. Vasilash

This is not the next-gen VW Tiguan for the U.S:

It is the European VW Tayron SUV.

Some have thought that the Tayron will become the Tiguan.

The next-gen Tiguan will be on the long-wheelbase configuration for the Tayron.

But the Tiguan will, according to VW of America, have significantly different “sheet metal, powertrain options and equipment set.”

In other words, for ordinary people who don’t care about things like platforms, the U.S. Tiguan is a completely different vehicle than the European Tayron.

That said, the Tayron, which is available as a five- or seven-seater, is an interesting vehicle, largely because of the powertrain choices.

There will be:

• A mild hybrid based on a 148-hp engine
• Two plug-in hybrids, each of which will offer an electric range of over 100 km (62 miles)
• Two turbocharged diesels

The Tayron will be slotted between the Touareg and the Tiguan in the European market.

The Touareg, a premium crossover, hasn’t been available in the U.S. market since model year 2017.

However, the U.S. has both the Atlas and the Atlas Cross Sport, which the Euros don’t have.

The next Tiguan will be announced at the LA Auto Show in November.