Singapore Will Get The New Volkswagen Tiguan With a Mild Hybrid In Q1 2024

As part of final test drives, Volkswagen is announcing the first details of its currently best-selling model before an official launch some time in Q4 this year. The new third-gen Tiguan will have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of improving the current figure of 7.4 million Tiguan owners around the globe - a feat it seems to relish given initial announcements of improvements over its predecessor in this unfinished, camo-clad state.

The new Tiguan will be based on the new generation of the modular transverse matrix, MQB evo, which underpins four drive types - TDI, TSI, eTSI and eHybrid. We know that the mild hybrid (eTSI) variant will be landing in Singapore in Q1 next year, but it remains to be seen if the more “traditional” method of propulsion - TSI with its electrically unassisted force-fed motor will be available.

With TDI availability almost a foregone conclusion (bulk of sales will have to be supported in portions of Europe we reckon), we are still keeping fingers crossed for a plug-in hybrid Tiguan to be sold here. Our recent test drive of the Mercedes-Benz GLC300e 4MATIC AMG Line suggested that PHEVs may finally be relevant here. Now the ball is in VW’s court to gauge sentiments and perhaps engage in some coin flipping, for it’s a gamble that hinges on specs and no further tax-related horror stories.

An end-of-year reveal will make for more conclusive thoughts, but initial teasers point at a very promising product. There’s a new cockpit and infotainment system, and rejoice - the sole press picture of its cabin shows a steering wheel with actual buttons! With the elephant in the room now out of the way, that leaves space for some flashy tech with usability that can take a back seat in the name of clean-cut design, like a substantial 15-inch central display and a mini screen on the rotary dial to control drive mode, radio volume or ambient lighting colours.

You might have heard of some VWs equipped with an Aisin torque convertor gearbox, sold alongside DSG variants in markets like Malaysia. But for this new Tiguan, it will be offered exclusively with a DSG, with the gear “stick” similar to its electric ID. models.

It remains to be seen if the locally-specced Tiguan will come equipped with the optional DCC Pro with two-valve shock absorbers. What’s certain is the addition of a new vehicle dynamics manager – an MQB system that made its debut in the current Golf GTI. The system controls the functions of the electronic differential locks (XDS) and the lateral dynamics components of the controlled shock absorbers in the DCC Pro system.

If new Tiguans are not your cup of tea, used examples might just get you hooked. This 4-owner, first-gen unit looks fresh enough for another decade of toil, or snag this 2 year old Mk II Tiguan for the price of a new Golf.

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