- Electric Tiguan to join combustion models.
- Essentially the new ID. 4, with single and dual-motor models.
- Retro instrument panel channels Mk IV Golf.
Volkswagen has revealed its replacement for the ID. 4 EV. It does all the stuff the ID. 4 did and even carries over some of the same styling cues and distinctive profile, but it's not called an ID. 4 any more. As part of VW's brand rethink about EVs, it's now called "ID. Tiguan".
Any suggestion it's anything else might well cause VW people to put their fingers in their ears and go "la la la" until you stop talking about it.
The rebadging capitalises on the model name of VW's biggest-selling model globally. It's also the most popular VW here in New Zealand, and the new car is heading our way.
"The Tiguan nameplate has played an important role in Volkswagen's success story in NZ," says Chanelle McDonald, general manager at VW NZ.
"As our best-selling vehicle locally, Tiguan has earned a strong reputation with Kiwi customers over many years. The introduction of ID. Tiguan is significant because it extends that success into the electric vehicle space, giving customers another way to experience the qualities they know and value from Volkswagen SUVs while embracing the latest generation of electric mobility.”
Because it's a completely diffferent thing, the ID. Tiguan will not replace the existing Tiguan range when it's launched in 2027. Volkswagen will continue to offer the current Tiguan with combustion-based powertrain options.
A key change with ID. Tiguan compared to ID. 4 is the return of physical controls for key cabin functions. ID. 4 and Golf 8 were the two models that sparked controversy from an interior layout virtually devoid of buttons and switches (the Golf 8.5 has already started the move back).
The new dashboard layout can include a passenger-side screen with "privacy mode" so it's not vsible to the driver. There's also a Retro display mode for the main instrment panel: if the driver activates it using the View button on the steering wheel, the blue-red instruments from a Golf IV appear in the Digital Cockpit.
It appears as a classic speedometer on the left and a stylised rev counter on the right. It does not display engine speeds but the energy flow in the drive as a power display. The corresponding Retro view in the central infotainment screen can also be personalised for the first time; the driver can choose from six models, Golf I, Golf II Country, Golf IV, Tiguan I, Race Touareg and Beetle.
VW NZ has not yet shared specification details for the local market, but the factory has revealed a European model range of Trend, Life, Style and R-Line. There are two RWD versions with 140kW or 210kW, and a top AWD version with 220kW. The top car is decribed as a "4Motion" rather than a GTX, so there may be a hotter version planned for the future.
The entry car has a 58kW battery, but the 210kW gets a 77kW pack and offers a maximum 600km range.
