Volkswagen here says nein to impending coupe-style T-Cross.

BAD news for Kiwis excited about Taigo, the new compact coupe-like SUV just revealed by Volkswagen — it’s not being considered by the New Zealand distributor.

VW New Zealand has not offered explanation why this model, which is about the size of T-Cross and is based on the VW Nivus, that’s only sold in Brazil, won’t come here.

Comment from the Auckland-domiciled operation, in the wake of the overnight release of images, is simply: “The Taigo is not currently in our plan for New Zealand.”

This comes after the parent has sent out drawings lending a good preview of how the final car will look. It’s visually similar to the T-Cross, albeit with some sportier tweaks.

The biggest difference is the roofline, which now slopes off towards the rear.

There’s also a more aggressive front bumper for this R-Line spec drawing, with a light bar that’s near-identical to the T-Cross’ at the rear albeit with a slightly more angular LED design.

Those exhaust exits are the rear are likely to be fake – the just unveiled Golf 8 has the same purely style-driven treatment – and overseas’ pundits say we shouldn’t expect to see wheels quite that large.

It’s believed Taigo will likely have an interior all-but-identical to the T-Cross, but maybe with some options to customise the dashboard panels for a bit more pizzazz.

Boot space and rear headroom will likely take a hit as a result of the sloped roofline, though.

The Taigo will launch exclusively with turbo petrol engines, though Volkswagen hasn’t said exactly what yet. T-Cross furnishes here with 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre married to a seven-speed direct shift transmission.