Upcoming Volkswagen Taigun SUV Facelift: UNMASKED
Volkswagen (VW) is expected to launch the much-awaited Taigun facelift in the second quarter of this year (April-June). It will come with significant cosmetic upgrades and an improved cabin. The changes will largely mirror those of the new Skoda Kushaq that was unveiled recently. Skoda hasn’t, however, revealed the new Kushaq’s prices yet. Road trials of the facelifted Taigun are already commencing. The SUV was recently spotted with minimal camouflage. Based on these sightings, we have unmasked the design of this model ahead of its official reveal.
The front fascia will see significant improvement. The grille will be slimmer on the new model. Compared to the pre-facelift model, it will have sleeker LED headlamps.
As can be seen in these illustrations and previous spy shots, the new Taigun will come with connected LED DRLs at the front. It also gets an illuminated Volkswagen logo at the front, like many of the carmaker’s global models. The front bumper has also been redesigned and gets two bold horizontal slats running along its width. It even has an integrated skid plate.
Overall, the front design has evolved into something sleeker and more appealing. You’ll notice some influence of this recently launched Tayron R-Line in portions of this design.
In its side view, the facelift remains largely identical to the outgoing model. Like what we see in most mid-life updates, the silhouette, shoulder line and window line appear to remain the same. The facelift will, however, ride on a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels. The actual wheel design may vary from what’s shown in these illustrations.
The styling of the rear end has also been revised on the facelift. The rear bumper seems to have subtle changes in its design. The rear isn’t as Chrome-rich as it used to be on the previous model. The most important change, however, is in the design of the tail lamps. While the SUV continues to feature connected LED tail lamps, the connecting light bar is now much sleeker and the tail lamps now have different LED elements inside.
Though not visualised in this image, the production-spec is expected to get illuminated Volkswagen logo at the rear. Finally, we can see a roof-mounted spoiler with an integrated high-mounted stop lamp.
Inside, the Taigun facelift is expected to receive a number of feature and trim upgrades aimed at making it feel more premium and comfortable. Like the Kushaq facelift, the new Taigun will also see the addition of new features. It is likely to get a larger touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The update could give the SUV new upholstery and cabin colour scheme. Ths Skoda sibling gets features like massaging function for the rear seats. It remains to be seen if these would make their way to the Taigun as well.
The Taigun facelift will continue with the same set of engines as the pre-facelift model. It will offer the choice of a 1.0L TSI turbocharged engine and a 1.5L TSI turbo-petrol engine. On the outgoing model, the former makes 113hp and 178Nm and the latter produces 148 hp and 250 Nm. These are likely to remain the same on the updated model as well.
Like the Kushaq facelift, the transmission pool will likely be revised on the new Taigun. The 1.0 TSI engine used to be offered with a manual and a six speed torque converter automatic transmission on the old model. The facelift will likely replace this with a new AISIN-sourced 8-speed torque converter automatic unit. The bigger engine is likely to be offered exclusively with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.