Fresh face for VW Tiguan

Softly, softly the theme for VW Tiguan facelift, which presents a cleaner front end design, and a more contemporary rear end style
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Volkswagen's compact SUV, the Golf-based Tiguan, has just received a styling refresh, along with undisclosed "technical" upgrades, in Europe.

According to VW, advance sales of the facelifted model came a little ahead of schedule because the previous (and still current in Australia) version sold out sooner than anticipated.

Officially, the facelifted Tiguan will make its debut at the Geneva international motor show opening on March 1. According to a press release issued by Volkswagen in Europe on February 4, the latest version of its best-selling SUV will be priced "at the same level despite numerous improvements."

Obviously keen not to mess with a formula that has worked so well, VW has limited the main visual differences to the front end, where there's a stronger, yet simpler treatment of the grille area and the obligatory LEDs around the headlights. At the back, only the tail light lenses appear to have been changed.

Inside, the basic structure appears to have been generally left alone, with eight circular air vents on the dash, a high-set display for the trip computer/SatNav and heavily hooded instrument binnacle.

VW's technical changes have obviously yet to be quantified, but there seems little likelihood anything significant will be done in terms of engine and transmission options.

Base model in Germany is the "Trend & Fun" version using VW's 90kW 1.4 TSI engine.

Locally, VW has recently gifted the Tiguan TDI version with the seven-speed DSG transmission that adds performance, improves fuel economy and lowers exhaust emissions compared to the previous conventional six-speed auto.

As yet, there is no word if the Australian specifications will change.

At present, Tiguan is available with either the 2.0-litre 103TDi turbodiesel, or the also 2.0-litre 125TSI and 147TSI turbo petrol engines. Transmission choices include six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG in all models except the 147TSI, which is available with DSG only.

Tiguan sales in Australia rate it as VW's second-best selling model after the Golf, although outright figures are behind the big sellers in its category, including Toyota's RAV4, Nissan's X-Trail and Honda's CR-V.

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