2020 Volkswagen Tiguan facelift previewed

Volkswagen has released the first official image of the updated Tiguan it will launch later this year.

Set for an on-sale date in Europe in the third quarter, the upgraded model is headlined by a comprehensive overhaul of the mid-size SUV's front-end, and revealed by this official design sketch and earlier leak.

In comes slimmer LED headlights that appear to sweep back into the front fenders in an effect that mimics the upcoming Mk8 Volkswagen Golf.

The grille, front bumper and even bonnet are also all-new and have been introduced for greater visual impact.

There are no pics yet showing what's happened towards the rear of the Tiguan, but it's thought the changes are limited to a tweaked rear bumper and the introduction of new standard-fit LED tail-lights.

Inside, in comes Volkswagen's latest infotainment system that was introduced by the all-new Golf, slashing the cabin's button count.

Operated via a 10.0-inch touch-screen, the new system works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Under the bonnet, in Europe at least, the model refresh will signal the arrival of the option of new plug-in powertrain that already lives under the bonnet of GTE versions of the Golf, Passat and Arteon.

Combining a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine, compact electric motor and 13kWh lithium-ion battery, the Tiguan PHEV should offer a zero-emission pure-electric range of more than 50km.

Performance should also be impressive as, combined, the Tiguan GTE should produce the same power and torque as the Golf GTI (180kW and 400Nm).

Other new engines include a range of cleaner diesels and, potentially, electrified mild-hybrid petrols.

This includes a tech-laden 1.5-litre petrol powertrain that combines a 48-volt mild-hybrid system attached to a 1.5-litre Miller Cycle turbo-petrol motor with a 350 bar of common-rail fuel-injection pressure, an atmospheric plasma sprayed onto the cylinder walls, cylinder deactivation and 12.5:1 compression ratio.

The result is an engine that sips fuel at a diesel-like rate of 4.9L/100km.

Both the regular five-seat Tiguan and the seven-seat Tiguan Allspace are expected to go under the knife at the same time.

As part of the comprehensive makeover, the much-rumoured 225kW Tiguan R flagship could also be part of Volkswagen's grand plan to bolster the Tiguan's appeal.

The Tiguan has now established itself as Volkswagen's best-selling global model, with the German car-maker churning out 910,000 examples in 2019 alone, outselling the Golf hatch.