Volkswagen India to launch Tiguan, Passat this year

Volkswagen will be adding two new cars to its Indian product lineup in 2017. The German automaker will introduce the new Passat and the second-generation Tiguan in the country this year. Both the Tiguan and the Passat were showcased at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo and both of them have also been spotted testing in the country on several occasions. However, an official statement from the automaker has finally confirmed the news.

The last-generation Volkswagen Passat was introduced in the country in 2007 and competed with cars like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and the Passat’s very own sibling, the Skoda Superb.

Although Volkswagen showcased a plug-in hybrid version of the new Passat at the 2016 Auto Expo, it will launch the diesel variant in the country. The upcoming new Passat is based on the MQB (modular transverse matrix) platform and will be powered by a 2.0-litre TDI engine coupled to a six-speed DSG gearbox. Volkswagen has also confirmed that the new Passat will offer 9 airbags. It is likely to be priced around the Rs 25 lakh mark.   

The upcoming, second-generation Tiguan will be Volkswagen's first SUV in the Indian market. It is also based on the MQB platform and is one of the most popular SUVs in its segment globally. It will be powered by the 2.0-litre TDI engine which will be mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

The Tiguan is also one of the safest cars in its segment as it scored a rare five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests in 2016. The international version of the SUV is equipped with a lot of safety features like pedestrian and ambient traffic monitoring system, electronic stability control (ESC) and the lane-keeping 'Lane Assist'. Volkswagen is also developing a bigger seven-seater variant of the Tiguan, the Allspace, which is likely to be officially unveiled sometime this year. The Tiguan will be priced around the Rs 20 lakh mark and will primarily compete with the Hyundai Tucson.

Source: CarDekho.com