The Volkswagen Taigo has made its debut as a coupé-styled sibling to the popular T-Cross compact crossover. Scheduled to arrive on South African shores in 2022, the Taigo will be the fifth “T” variant in the Wolfsburg manufacturer’s local SUV/crossover portfolio.
Seen here, the Taigo is equipped with Volkswagen’s flagship R-Line trim level. Included in the list of standard specification are, among others, LED headlamps, complete with daytime-running lights; foglamps integrated to the front bumper; LED taillamps, joined by an LED lightbar spanning the rear; and faux exhaust pipe housings. In addition, the R-Line version is equipped with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the Taigo is offered with a 9,2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen mirroring and Bluetooth connectivity, and digital driver’s display. Those with a keen eye will notice that, compared to the T-Cross’ analogue air-conditioning controls, the Taigo features touch-based functionality for the climate control setup. An array of driver-assistance systems is also available. Volkswagen claims that, despite the Taigo’s coupé-styled roofline, the boot has a luggage capacity of 438 litres.
The Taigo is exclusively available with a front-wheel-drive drivetrain and offered with the choice of a pair of petrol powertrains (no TDI options here). Three transmission options will be on offer, two manual cog swappers and a dual-clutch automatic. The duo of manual ’boxes include a five- and six-speeder. The self-shifter, meanwhile, features seven gears. As mentioned, Volkswagen’s sloping-roofline small crossover will feature only TSI engine options. These include a 1,0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder and a 1,5-litre four-cylinder motor. The 1,0-litre three-pot is available in two state of tunes, 70 kW and 81 kW, while the more powerful, 1,5-litre unit is endowed with 110 kW.
