VW’s core seller has sharpened up and returned to old form with a control format.

MORE emphasis on plug-in hybrid technology - but retention of pure internal combustion choices - a complete restyle and a retreat from a controversial control system arrive with the next Volkswagen Tiguan.

Volkswagen New Zealand has yet to indicate when the third generation line, unveiled overnight - with exception of the ‘R’ performance edition (still under development) - might land here, but it has previously indicated intent to maintain a model that has been crucial to volume count.

The car is due to enter right hand drive production next year.

VW acknowledges Tiguan’s development has heed largely undertaken in parallel with the latest Passat sedan and station wagon, which NZ is bypassing.

The cars share VW’s upgraded MQB-Evo platform, plus much of its upgraded digital and connectivity functions, including the latest version of VW’s MIB infotainment platform supporting over-the-air software update capability.

At 4539mm long, 1639mm tall and 1842mm wide, the model is is 30mm longer, 4mm taller and the same width as the then two, with a carryover 2680mm wheelbase. VW claims head room has increased by 8mm in the front and by 10mm in the rear. Optimal boot space has also risen by 37 litres to 652 litres.

The engine range is refreshed, the major interest item perhaps for Kiwis now being the f 'eHybrid' variant that pairs a 1.5 TSI petrol four-cylinder engine to an electric motor, in either 152kW or 202kW formats. 

The electric motor gets its energy from a 19.7kWh battery sited just ahead of the rear axle, to help weight distribution. VW says that it's good for an all-electric range of 100 kilometres, while 50kW charging means it can take as little as 25 minutes from a DC source. 

Other powertrain include a 1.5 TSI 'evo2' four-cylinder petrol, with a 48-volt starter generator, lithium-ion battery and cylinder deactivation. This will come in 97kW and 112kW forms, both with front-wheel drive and a DSG twin-clutch automatic gearbox. The conventional 2.0-litre petrol retains, with 152kW or 197kW. The latter marries to 4Motion four-wheel drive as standard, while all cars feature DSG auto.

The car’s new cabin brings a cleaner look, more upmarket materials, more space and a technology upgrade. The redesigned dashboard has a new control matrix, illuminated trim elements and new-look air vents. It supports a 10.3in digital instrument display as well as a central touchscreen infotainment display that measures 12.9in as standard or 15.0in in upgraded guise.

The infotainment display incorporates a backlit slider controller and adopts a new MIB4 digital menu structure, with touchscreen air-con controls incorporated into the lower section.

However … the steering wheel shows some old-school, in forgoing the touch-sensitive capacitive controls of the current car Tiguan for more traditional buttons and switches. The touch controls have proven highly controversial and VW design boss Andreas Mindt promises other models will step back, as Tiguan has.

The 2024 car has a rotary controller to alter driving modes, the audio volume and what VW calls ‘Atmospheres’ – essentially pre-programmed settings for the ambient lighting and other functions. The gear selector relocates to a stalk mounted on the steering column.

Options include a new head-up display unit, which projects information onto the windscreen instead of to a plastic panel happens now, as well as a wireless phone charger.

Tiguan styling cues tie it more closely to Golf 8 and even Volkswagen's ID. electric models, with a smooth nose and air intakes set into the front apron. Slender LED headlights are fitted, and there's a light bar that stretches across the nose for higher-spec models in the range. The ride height has raised.