What if the Germans made a Proton X50? That'd be this new 2021 Volkswagen Taigun
Sanjay · Aug 23, 2021 08:00 PM
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Its name might be an anagram of Tiguan, but read carefully: the new kid in the ever-growing SUV block is the 2021 Volkswagen Taigun, which just started production in India recently.
It's an interesting car, this. Actually, it reminds us a bit of the Proton X50 in more ways than one, but only if it were made by the Germans instead. Let's take a closer look...
First up, its size. Sitting on an indigenised version (MQB A0 IN) of the MQB (modular transverse matrix) platform that it shares with the Skoda Kushaq, the Taigun measures as below:
VW Taigun measurements
Metrics
Dimension
Length
4,200 mm
Width
1,760 mm
Height
1,570 mm
Wheelbase
2,651 mm
It's pretty much equal to competitors, and to give you a better picture, it's not too far off from how an X50 measures anyway, which is 4,330 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, and 1,609 mm tall on a 2,600 mm wheelbase.
Borrowing cues from larger stablemates, VW's first made-in-India subcompact SUV is a rather cool-looking car.
It's a trademark VW look, with unfussy lines and lots of chrome around the exterior. The front end - with a three-slat grille and blocky headlights - reminds one of the larger Tiguan family.
Black cladding toughens up the sides, and depending on variant it comes with either single-tone 16-inch wheels or this glitzier 17-inch 'Manila' set.
The rear is its more distinctive angle, characterised by smoked LED tail lamps that are linked by a functional light bar. But it hasn't got two real exhaust outlets - those are just imprints on the rear bumper.
Capping off the looks are a choice of five colours: Curcuma Yellow as mostly seen in this set, Wild Cherry Red, Candy White, Reflex Silver, and Carbon Steel Grey.
Interior - Minimalistic modernism
Much like the exterior, the Taigun's dual-tone cabin looks the part. There's optional upholstery with contrast stitching too.
The interior is enlivened by a gloss silver (or red, depending on body colour) panel running lengthwise of the dashboard and along the centre console.
There's faux carbon fibre inserts too - some may say they're an oft-abused trope - but done right it can look good, and this is an example.
Reading out vitals is an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, but it's simpler than the full-fat versions us Malaysians are familiar with in our VWs. Some variants make do with an analogue cluster in place.
For creature comforts, the Taigun comes with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charger, ventilated seats, a cooled glove box, and rear air-cond vents.
Its cause for deja vu here, as the Taigun has a turbocharged 1.5-litre mill paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. But that's only reserved for higher-end variants, while the cheaper ones get a 1.0-litre mill and a conventional 6-speed automatic.
VW Taigun performance
Powertrain
Output
1.0L turbo 3-cyl
6-spd MT / AT
115 PS @ 5,000 - 5,500 rpm
178 Nm @ 1,750 - 4,500 rpm
1.5L turbo 4-cyl
6-spd MT / 7-spd DSG
150 PS @ 5,000 - 6,000 rpm
250 Nm @ 1,600 - 3,500 rpm
Safety - No ADAS, very basic
No advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) here, just the standard kit of electronic stability control, a reverse parking camera and up to 6 airbags.
Although chances of the Taigun coming here are very slim, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has already confirmed that it wants a piece of the B-segment SUV market. But what will it be - the T-Roc or T-Cross? Time will tell...
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.