Volkswagen’s new SUV is about to lock horns with half a dozen rivals, says Pavan Lall.
IMAGE: Volkswagen’s new SUV Taigun. All Photographs: Kind courtesy, Volkswagen India
Ever since it obtained right here, almost 15 years in the past, Volkswagen has seemed to belt out a smash hit automobile that may put it on the quick monitor of development within the complicated and extremely aggressive market that’s India.
While its smaller vehicles just like the Vento and the Polo have had some modest success, their total premium positioning, price of possession and excessive costs at all times prevented them from catching the flowery of the lots.
The newly launched Taigun is the automobile that the corporate hopes will begin boosting volumes.
VW’s newest SUV is constructed on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB A0 IN platform that’s geared for the Indian market and in addition shared with its sister badge Skoda, which has simply rolled out its mid-size SUV — the Kushaq.
The Taigun is the third SUV from the Volkswagen secure.
The different two are the T-Roc and, previous to that, the Tiguan, which was a bigger automobile.
The Taigun represents an effort to shore up market share in a fashion like, say, a Kia has. That could occur if the worth is true.
It could as nicely, on condition that its ranges of native parts, at round 95 per cent, is its highest ever, and that it’s additionally been designed retaining the frugal Indian viewers in thoughts.
The Taigun reveals no signal of cost-cutting, and options sensible interiors, high-grade plastics, a sublime dashboard and a suspension and experience high quality that’s all German.
But it is essential to do not forget that this mannequin will are available in a couple of completely different variants, the decrease finish certainly one of which is anticipated to be priced at round Rs 11 lakh, making it a formidable rival to any producer.
Of course the bells and whistles will be a lot diminished on entry degree variants but the suspension, experience high quality and drivetrain will stay the identical.
The gearshift on the top-end variant that I drove is derived from the 7-speed DSG — additionally in use in VW’s different vehicles.
As I take the Taigun for a spin, it hums as it throws up a clean linear acceleration at low to medium speeds.
It drives nicely, corners nicely and seats nicely.
Neatly designed inside and on the outside, and geared up with sensible areas, compartments and equipment, the Taigun is most presentable as a mid-level SUV and does not appear low cost from any angle.
After a check experience every of Taigun and Kushaq, one instantly discerns the distinction between the 2 friends.
The Skoda is a more durable, “tougher” automobile when it comes to its design, drive and total attraction.
If the Kushaq packs a punch like Tyson, the Taigun floats like Ali.
The Taigun is clearly extra targeted on softer touches, design components and drive expertise that vary from ambient lighting to brighter shades such because the yellow and crimson that it is being offered in.
So what does the Taigun provide to drivers that the majority vehicles do not? That’s a tough query to reply as a result of the nice commoditisation of vehicles has come to imply that the majority vehicles in a sure worth vary have options that embody cruise management, paddle shift gears for extra spirited driving, electrical sunroof, heated seats and the like.
Of course, the Taigun comes with all of that backed by the German promise of superior model high quality.
So does it entail reducing any corners? It’s exhausting to identify, since security for instance remains to be a core focus with thickness of the sheet steel and the variety of airbags (the Taigun options six), engineering seems superior and passenger consolation is top-notch.
The Taigun will have competitors. And plenty of it.
The automobile is finally going up in opposition to the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV 700, Ford Ecosport, and the Skoda Kushaq.
While its world prowess is unquestionable, the VW badge has been seen as an costly, high-maintenance proposition in India.
And that is a hurdle the Taigun will have to leap over if it is ever to raised its rivals.
Then once more, with the worth to be introduced in a couple of days, the corporate could be turning the bend to make that leap.
Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
