Driven: Value-added Volkswagen Tiguan rolls in

VOLKSWAGEN has updated its Tiguan small SUV, boosting power and torque of the diesel-powered 130TDI variant and adding more standard equipment across the board, including R-Line sports kit for the range-topping 155TSI version.

The inclusion of more gear has increased Tiguan pricing across the board with entry-level 118TSI manual variants up by $500 to $29,990 before on road costs, middle of the range 132TSI and 130TDI variants sneaking up by $600 and $1100 to $36,990 and $39,990 respectively, while the addition of R-Line kit and badge has pushed the 155TSI price up by $1500 to $44,990.

Base 118TSI variants now have rear parking sensors, camera and a new resolution-boosted RCD510 6.5-inch touchscreen, while new driver fatigue monitoring enhances safety by detecting drowsiness and warning the driver.

Traction and roadholding of the front-wheel drive system is improved with the front axle benefiting from an XDL electronic locking differential that applies hydraulic braking force to an inside cornering wheel if it begins to loose traction, reducing understeer.

The entry-level Tiguan is powered by Volkswagen's 'twin-charged' 1.4-litre petrol engine with BlueMotion idle-stop technology, and uses a supercharger and turbocharger to develop 118kW and 240Nm.

Adding Volkwagen's DSG six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission to the 118TSI costs $2500, but all other variants are offered with a seven-speed version of the DSG as standard, with mid-range manual versions dropped from the line-up.

Manual versions return fuel efficiency of 6.9 litres per 100km, while DSG transmissions are thirstier, using 7.3L/100km. Both variants do the zero to 100km/h dash in 8.9 seconds.

The mid-range 4WD Tiguan 132TSI has also received more kit, getting all of the 118TSI's extra gear plus 17-inch Philadelphia wheels, part-alcantara comfort sports seats, tinted windows and interior styling tweaks.

Its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder drives through Volkswagen's 4Motion four-wheel drive system with most torque directed through the front axle until extra bite is needed.

The Tiguan 132TSI produces 132kW and 280Nm for a with 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.9 seconds. Combined fuel-consumption is 8.8L/100km.

The diesel-powered 130TDI (also 4WD) shares the features of its petrol equivalent but gains a significant boost to output with power up 27kW to 130kW and torque increased by 60Nm to 380Nm.

Because of the power boost, the variant's name has been revised from 103TDI to 130TDI.

That extra kick has slashed the 0-100km/h acceleration time by 1.7 seconds, to 8.5 seconds, but despite the increased grunt and performance, fuel consumption has been cut 0.2 L/100km to 6.2L/100km.

Both versions also have the option of panoramic sunroof ($2000), Vienna leather interior ($3500) or the sportier R-Line equipment pack ($2500 see separate story).

Upgrading to Vokswagen's latest RNS510 navigation and touchscreen is also an option for $1300, which brings a 30GB hard drive and enhanced device connectivity.

Sitting at the top of the Tiguan pile is the 155TSI that gains a raft of “performance inspired dynamics” and an R-Line suffix to its variant name.

Exterior styling upgrades start with the R-Line's 18-inch Mallory wheels and extend to chrome-look roof rails and window surrounds, while a sportier set of side-sills and a roof spoiler complete the look.

R-Line touches also add leather to the interior of the 155TSI R-Line with electrical adjustment in the front spots, while black roof-lining and a sports steering wheel with paddle-shifters continues the theme.

Top-spec RNS510 navigation also comes as standard in the R-Line.

The R-Line sporty upgrades also include Volkswagen's Adaptive Chassis Control, which allows the selection of three different driving modes from Comfort, through Normal to Sport.

Switching through the various modes alters the throttle and steering sensitivity, and pneumatically adaptable dampers change the ride from soft and compliant to a firmer roll- and pitch-resistant setting.

The new flagship Tiguan shares the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder of the 155TSI it replaces, developing 155kW/280Nm for 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.3 seconds, but uses no more fuel than the lesser 132TSI.

As part of the line-up refresh Volkswagen has dropped the Pacific suffix from both 132TSI and diesel variants.

Volkswagen Tiguan pricing*

118TSI	$28,990
118TSI (a)	$31,490
132TSI (a)	$36,990
130TDI (a)	$39,990
155TSI R-Line (a)	$44,990

*Exclude on-road costs.