Volkswagen to reveal new Tiguan this year

Volkswagen is set to reveal its second-generation Tiguan compact SUV this year. At least that's the word from German auto bible Auto Motor und Sport, whose sources suggest the next Tiguan will launch in the Northern autumn, making a Paris motor show debut possible.

If the report proves correct, the Volkswagen group will use October's Paris show to reveal no fewer than three redesigned models -- including the Passat and Skoda Fabia – both of which are due on sale in Australia next year.

Volkswagen Group Australia managing director John White told motoring.com.au recently that an all-new Tiguan was due on sale globally next year, but it's unlikely to go on sale in Australia until 2016.

The new Tiguan is said to have grown in length to around 4500mm (up from 4427mm), giving occupants more room to stretch out. It will be offered with a similar range of engines to the Golf, including 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines.

Launched to the world in September 2007 and arriving in Australia in June 2008, the Volkswagen Tiguan is now almost six years old, which is roughly the lifespan of most SUV models.

We know the new Tiguan will be based on Volkswagen's modular transverse matrix platform, aka MQB, which also underpins vehicles such as the current Golf and new Audi TT.

Apart from being stiffer and lighter, the MQB architecture will bring with it VW's latest safety and infotainment technologies, as well as a more modern interior fit out, which should take the vehicle's look and feel upmarket.

The new Tiguan may borrow some design cues from Volkswagen's all-new micro-SUV based on the up!, the Taigun (pictured), which is due to break cover in production form in 2015.

Slotting in between the pint-size Taigun and small Tiguan by 2016 will be a second all-new production SUV based on the T-Roc crossover-coupe concept, which was shown as a concept and confirmed for production at the 2014 Geneva motor show.

The Taigun is being considered for Australian sale, while the T-Roc will be built in right-hand drive and is also likely to be investigated for the local market.

At the other end of Volkswagen's SUV range, the next Tiguan is expected to spawn an extra-large version measuring almost five metres long and offering seven seats.

Dubbed the Tiguan XL and previewed by the CrossBlue concept, VW's all-new seven-seat SUV will be bigger than the five-seat Touareg but more affordable, with pricing tipped to start from around $50,000.

It will form the basis of an all-new seven-seat SUV from Skoda.

We last reviewed the Tiguan in a four-way comparison and, despite its age, VW's smallest current SUV came second overall, bested only by the Mazda CX-5.