Volkswagen planning to expand SUV range
According to a couple of anonymous sources, Volkswagen is planning on tripling their number of SUVs, from two to six.
Work is being done on a ‘coupe’ and stretched version of the next-gen Tiguan, which is expected to debut in 2015.
The model will be based on the MQB platform that underpins various other products like the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 as well as the latest Skoda Octavia. The second-generation Tiguas will also be lighter and fuel efficient thanks to this new architecture.
Alongside the Tiguan plan, there are also solid plans to build a five-metre-long, three-row, seven-seat SUV modelled on the CrossBlue concept. The vehicle is thought to enter production in 2016, but it might be delayes since no factory has yet been confirmed. According to reports, the Mexican and Tennessee governments are in something of an incentive war to lure the production of the large SUV to their jurisdiction.
For the production version of the CrossBlue to be competitive against models like the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, it will be priced below the Touareg. Keep in mind though that the CrossBlue will be bigger and seat more passengers than its European version.
The final SUV offering will be a sub-Tiguan option, as of yet unamed, Volkswagen is looking into the pros and cons of a production model based on either a more functional Tiagun concept or the sportier-looking T-Roc.
At the present time Volkswagen is only offering two off-road-style vehicles in its line-up, the Golf-based Tiguan and the larger Touareg – a sibling of the Porsche Cayenne.
