Volkswagen has shed insight into what the future holds for the second-generation Tiguan (pictured) that was shown to the public at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show.
Dr. Jochen Böhle, the engineer responsible for Volkswagen’s compact cars, revealed that the Tiguan will be offered in at least three body styles in the next two or three years. The first one is the standard, five-seater model that was shown in Germany a few months ago. It’s scheduled to go on sale across Europe in April, but it won’t make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
Instead, the Wolfsburg-based car maker is currently developing an extended version of its newest crossover tentatively called Tiguan XL that will stand out from the regular model thanks to a wheelbase that will be stretched by about four and a half inches and a much longer rear overhang. The extra sheet metal will allow Volkswagen of America to offer the crossover with seven seats, though the configuration will likely be available as an option. It’s safe to assume the XL will receive a few market-specific design tweaks, too.
The Tiguan XL will be joined by a four-door coupe model with a sleek, fastback-like silhouette inspired by the BMW X4 and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. It will share its wheelbase with the five-seater Tiguan, and it will boast a sportier design that will emphasize performance, not off-road prowess. Technical details remain unconfirmed.
Built in Puebla, Mexico, the Volkswagen Tiguan XL won’t reach U.S. showrooms until the summer of 2017 at the earliest. However, British magazine Auto Express believes the first-ever Škoda crossover that will be previewed by a thinly-veiled concept at next month’s Geneva show will share most of its mechanical components — and its basic dimensions — with the XL. The coupe will be assembled either in Spain or in Germany, and it might not land on our shores until the end of 2017.
Live photos by Ronan Glon.
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