More SUVs expected from Volkswagen

Like them or loathe them there's no doubting the popularity of the SUV.

Globally, SUV sales have grown remarkably as family buyers seek an alternative to wagons and people movers, while recreational and younger buyers move in increasing numbers from hatches and coupes.

It's a trend Volkswagen's head of powertrain development, Dr Heinz-Jakob Neusser, says has not gone unnoticed at VW, and that over the coming years the German manufacturer will look to increase its SUV portfolio with models in every niche.

"If you look worldwide, the biggest growing SUV segment is not A, B or C, it's the SUV across all different segments from the smallest to the biggest one," he noted.

"Everywhere is asking for SUVs, and for that we are still working on A and B segments, as well as a mid-sized SUV for the US, which is a bit longer than the Passat and has seven seats," he said, referring to the Tiguan XL.

"We are working on a Golf-sized SUV we showed in Geneva and a Polo-sized SUV also," he concluded.

The news of a Polo-sized SUV hints at a new variant – possibly based on the Cross Coupe show car – which would slot between the upcoming up!-based Taigun (pictured) that's due 2015, and new versions of the Tiguan and larger seven-seat Tiguan XL, both of which will be built off Volkswagen's MQB architecture.

It's expected the new Tiguan will grow in length to 4500mm (up 63mm), and be powered by the same engine variants found under the bonnet of the Golf Mk VII. The smaller Taigun will likely measure less than 4000mm from bumper to bumper , and draw power from an 81kW 1.0-litre TFSI (petrol) engine, as per the Volkswagen up!.

Volkswagen is also expected to launch a production version of the T-ROC crossover coupe model shown at this year's Geneva motor show, and a new Touareg large SUV by as early as 2016.

With such a comprehensive SUV line-up in development, Volkswagen would join other manufacturers including Nissan and Renault in offering an SUV across all segments by the end of the decade.