5 New Volkswagen SUVs Lined Up For India
Volkswagen is known to launch five new SUVs in India soon, aiming to expand its market presence significantly. The proposed lineup includes the ID.4 Electric SUV, the Taigun facelift, two variants of the Tayron, and a sub-compact SUV based on the Skoda Kylaq.
Volkswagen ID.4
The ID.4 will be the carmaker’s first electric offering in India and is expected to debut in December 2024. It will serve as the flagship model in VW’s Indian lineup, with a price tag of around ₹65 lakh. Built on the MEB platform, the ID.4 is available with two battery options in most global markets: a 52 kWh version offering a range of 340 km and a 77 kWh version with a range of 500 km. It remains to be seen which of these will come to India, or if both will be available. The EV features a sleek, futuristic design, a modern interior dominated by a large touchscreen, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
Taigun Facelift
The Taigun facelift is another major launch that is to be expected. Likely to launch either in late 2024 or early 2025, the updated model will feature a redesigned front and rear with revised bumpers, headlights, and taillights. It will also include new features like a panoramic sunroof and Level 2 ADAS. The engine options will likely remain unchanged and it could continue with the current 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo petrol mills.
Tayron 5-Seater And 7-Seater
Volkswagen’s Tayron will come in two versions: as a five-seater and a seven-seater. The five-seater will replace the Tiguan when launched in India. It will have a more modern design and luxurious interiors, and be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It is expected to launch in 2025 and compete with the Skoda Kodiaq and Nissan X-Trail.
The seven-seater Tayron, also expected to be out in 2025, will fill the gap left by the Tiguan Allspace. Built on the MQB Evo platform, it will share its engine and gearbox with the five-seater version but will cater to buyers seeking a larger 3-row vehicle. This model will rival the Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster, and Ford Endeavour.
VW Tera (Sub-4 Meter Compact SUV)
Volkswagen has officially confirmed its plans to launch an affordable sub-4 meter SUV, and the concept has recently been unveiled as well. Known to be dubbed the ‘Tera’, it has been spotted undergoing international testing in Argentina. The design appears to deviate from the current Volkswagen lineup, featuring sleeker headlamps integrated into the front grille.
The production model may share some design similarities with the Taigun but will have its own unique identity- like the Kushaq and Kylaq do. It will debut in Brazil in 2025, with an Indian launch expected by 2026. It will be based on the MQB A0 IN platform, which also underpins models like the Taigun, Virtus, Skoda Kushaq, Kylaq and Slavia. It will sit below the Taigun.
Render courtesy AutoEsporte
The carmaker plans to achieve a heavy degree of localization. The SUV will be manufactured at its Chakan facility in Pune. This will help VW keep production costs low and offer competitive pricing. It will likely be powered by a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, available with both manual and automatic transmission options. Additionally, a more powerful GT variant featuring the 1.5-liter TSI engine can also be expected.
It will offer features such as an electric sunroof, automatic climate control, ventilated seats, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a digital instrument cluster.
Key rivals will include the Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Brezza, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, and its sibling, the Skoda Kylaq.