Over the years Volkswagen has supplied quite a few SUVs in India. However, the upcoming Taigun is its most necessary one but. The Taigun marks VW’s much-awaited entry into the mid-size SUV phase, going up in opposition to the likes of the favored Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and MG Hector.
Being the sister mannequin to the Skoda Kushaq, the Taigun is constructed on the ‘Indianised’ MQB A0 IN platform and boasts of as much as 95 % native elements. While patrons could have a alternative between a 115hp, 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol and a bigger 150hp, 1.5-litre TSI turbo-petrol engines (the latter within the GT guise), right here we solely concentrate on the latter. Both engines shall be out there with a 6-speed handbook gearbox as customary and with particular person computerized gearboxes — a 6-speed torque converter for the 1.0 TSI and a 7-speed DSG for the 1.5 TSI.
First issues first, the Taigun shouldn’t be the most important of the mid-size SUVs, being barely shorter and narrower than a Hyundai Creta. While it doesn’t fairly have the butch highway presence many patrons would possibly affiliate with an SUV, it appears stylish and up to date.
Styling is unmistakably Volkswagen, with clear strains and an unfussy design language. The three-slat chrome grille seamlessly blends into the massive headlamp clusters, whereas the raised, squared-out bonnet instantly hyperlinks the Taigun to the extra premium Tiguan. There is a beneficiant use of chrome up entrance, consistent with Indian tastes — some might discover it an excessive amount of.
Commendably, it’s only on the sides that you possibly can presumably mistake a Taigun for a Kushaq. The two fashions share doorways, mirrors, roof rails and even function the identical physique cladding. Within the Taigun GT line, the automated is distinguished by its 17-inch diamond-cut wheels, whereas the handbook makes do with smaller 16-inchers.
The Taigun’s most distinctive angle is its tail-end with its LED tail-lamps and tailgate-spanning lightbar sitting inside a big smoked bezel. Adding extra flash on the again are the chrome elaborations on the rear bumper designed to imitate twin exhaust housings.
Move inside and the Taigun makes a optimistic first impression with the doorways closing with a reassuring thud. The dashboard is especially good, with a seamlessly built-in, high-set touchscreen and a delightful mixture of supplies. There aren’t any soft-touch plastics, however fake carbon-fibre inserts and a ceramic-like panel add some character inside. Interestingly, the gloss panel can also be out there in purple with sure physique colors — vibrant or overkill, it’s a element that may divide opinion.
Adding extra color to the cabin is the 8.0-inch digital instrument display screen (solely within the GT computerized) which is engaging and simple to learn. Unlike in Audis, it isn’t a widescreen unit with solely the central display screen (out of the three) configurable, whereas those on the facet are dummies. The GT handbook will get easier analogue dials with a relatively primary MID. Other good bits embrace the very sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel and the touch-operable local weather management panel, which look premium and are straightforward to make use of.
The fit-finish is respectable in most locations, and even the plastics really feel stable and constructed to final. The cabin expertise is, nevertheless, dampened by the low-rent roof lining, uncovered sunroof railings and the strip of dummy buttons under the touchscreen that look misplaced on this phase. Also, whereas the backlit computerized gear selector appears premium, it isn’t completely fitted and tends to rock side-to-side.
The entrance seats are snug and properly trimmed, and there’s ample adjustment on supply. The rear seat is spacious with ample gentle filtering in due to the low window line. The bench is supportive with the properly contoured backrest providing a sure diploma of lateral assist. Volkswagen has additionally decreased the peak of the central ground hump for the India-spec automotive and added an adjustable head restraint, in addition to a three-point seatbelt for the center passenger. However, the automotive’s slender width implies that it’s best to seat two abreast.
Coming to the tools, all variants of the Taigun get digital stability management as customary, with obligatory package like ABS with EBD, twin airbags and reverse parking sensors.
Volkswagen’s new 10-inch touchscreen is slick to function, and wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are a welcome inclusion. It additionally packs in pre-loaded apps that work utilizing your smartphone’s web. The GT handbook moreover additionally packs in a wi-fi charging pad, local weather management, cruise management and a reverse digicam. The GT computerized moreover will get auto LED headlamps, 17-inch alloys, keyless go, a digital instrument cluster, sunroof, and 6 airbags. Curiously, the non-GT variants additionally get ventilated entrance seats, that are more likely to make it to the GT trims additional down the road.
Moving to the driving expertise, the Taigun GTs will enchantment to eager drivers. The 150hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol feels energetic proper from the get go. The broad unfold of torque at low engine speeds means that you could merrily amble round city with out requiring to always change gears. Drive with a heavy foot and the Taigun does construct tempo quickly, albeit in a linear method. There is nevertheless, a draw back to winding this engine, because it will get fairly vocal previous 3,500rpm.
Relaxed cruising or light drives, alternatively, will activate the engine’s cylinder-on-demand expertise, whereby it shuts off two cylinders to cut back gasoline consumption. The system works unobtrusively with solely a look on the MID telling you it’s working on two cylinders. Prodding the accelerator pedal a bit tougher will get all cylinders firing.
The GT auto’s 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox is an up to date model of the DQ200 unit from the outdated Polo GT TSI and the previous-gen Octavia 1.8 TSI. Its easy character stays unchanged with seamless gearshifts and the unit, in D mode, feels wanting to shift to the very best ratio attainable within the curiosity of gasoline effectivity. In Sport mode, it holds the gears a bit longer for crisper, extra quick responses. The Taigun options paddleshifters too and whereas the gearbox works relatively properly for probably the most half, you’ll discover your self reaching for the left paddle solely once you all of the sudden put your foot down and the gearbox takes a second or so to react.
The 6-speed handbook will enchantment to driving lovers. The short-throw gearbox is easy and makes rowing by means of the gears a breeze. And whereas the engine feels fast with the DSG computerized, it feels much more energetic right here, typically egging the motive force to spin this engine all the way in which to six,500rpm. The clutch pedal, nevertheless, is springy in its motion and the burden is a little more than what you’d have anticipated in a automotive of this measurement.
Despite the disparity in wheel measurement between the handbook and computerized, there is no such thing as a perceptible distinction in experience consolation. Ride high quality is spectacular and the Taigun takes potholes in its stride relatively competently. Highway stability is rock-solid too with the Taigun sustaining its composure always, with restricted physique motion.
This MQB A0 IN platform is alleged to be 30 % stiffer than the outgoing Polo’s platform, and the result’s fairly evident when driving this SUV with verve. It tackles corners with nice poise, in a really balanced method, and feels very nimble from behind the wheel. The Taigun really surprises you with the quantity of grip it has round corners, and it doesn’t roll as a lot as you’d anticipate it to. The steering is gentle, so it’s good and simple within the metropolis, and it weighs up adequately at freeway speeds.
Drive a Taigun on a winding highway and the zesty engine and eager dealing with are certain to be the massive takeaways for you.
So, must you have an interest within the Taigun? If it’s a massive and beefy SUV you need, or are somebody who shall be travelling with all 5 seats occupied typically, the Taigun is not going to be the appropriate decide for you. That being stated, the Taigun is a snug 4-seater and does look stylish, each inside and outside. Yes, it isn’t as nicely geared up as its Korean rivals and there are some indicators of cost-cutting too, however on the plus facet, it feels as powerful as you’d anticipate a German SUV to be.
Where the Taigun actually appeals is within the driving division. The 1.5-litre engine is powerful, and matched with the cozy experience and crisp dealing with, this a enjoyable SUV to drive. The smaller-hearted Taigun 1.0 TSIs can also be promising. We anticipate pricing within the vary of ₹ 10.5 -14 lakh (ex-showroom) for the 1.0 variations, whereas the 1.5 MT will doubtless begin at ₹ 15.5 lakh, with the range-topping DSG variations coming in at ₹ 18 lakh.
Only a full-blown comparability with rivals will inform us finally the place the Taigun suits in, but when it’s a stable, refined and sporty midsize SUV you need, the Taigun might be the one for you.
