Volkswagen Tiguan joins ambulance service

Volkswagen has delivered it latest emergency service vehicles, with the South Australia Ambulance Service (SAAS) becoming the first customer to press the Volkswagen Tiguan Proline into service.

The specialised model SUV will act as a ‘SPRINT’ vehicle for solo paramedics to “get to the scene rapidly and commence patient treatment while a regular ambulance is en route”.

Because SPRINT paramedics are solo responders, they can help twice as many people as they would if they were in a two-person crew, said SAAS chief executive officer David Place.

“This is about efficiency and effectiveness. This model lets us set eyes on a patient, treat them and be off to the next call as soon as possible, while the patient’s care is continued by ambulance crews as they transport to hospital,” he said.

Volkswagen Group Australia says other services are considering the unique emergency vehicle.

Based on the seven-seat Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Comfortline, the Proline has had its third row of seat removed to increase equipment storage area.

It also features a range of added extras including a higher-capacity alternator, off-road bumpers with increased approach and departure angles, and sports suspension.

The Volkswagen Tiguan Proline rides on specific 18-inch Kingston alloy wheels, but comes with the standard model’s 8.0-inch infotainment unit with navigation and smartphone mirroring.

Also standard are Progressive steering, a front underbody guard, ergonomic Active Sport comfort seats, electric lumbar adjustment, aluminium scuff plates and black roof rails.

An optional driver assistance package adds adaptive cruise control, emergency assist, traffic jam assist, rear cross traffic alert with side assist and dynamic light assist.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine like that seen in the Volkswagen Golf GTI, delivering 162kW of power and 350Nm of torque to all four wheels via VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

Image: Braeden Gatt