This is the 2013 Volkswagen Taigun, an mini SUV concept debuts at the Sao Paulo Auto Show. Though introduced in Brazil, Volkswgen Taigun will be launched globally, where it will compete with the likes of Nissan Juke , Skoda Yeti and Vauxhall Mokka.
“If I make a concept, my aim is always to put it into production - it’s not just a dream,” Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, head of product development at VW, told us.
Called the Taigun, the compact four seater market currently hovers around the $25,000 mark, Volkswagen thinks has huge potential in the booming South American market.
Built on a slightly stretched version of the ‘New Small Family’ platform, the Volkswagen Taigun has the same wheelbase as a Volkswagen Polo, 1728mm in width and 1570mm in height. As a concept it weighs 985 kg (2,172 pounds) and it carries with it a cargo space of 280 liters.
On the inside there's space for five passengers and been inspired by the latest smart phones, thin horizontal aluminium look facia forms the basis of the dashboard, a grab handle for the front passenger, door trims housing large stowage bins and a turbo boost pressure gauge.
Power for the Taigun comes from the same turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine, produces 109bhp and 175 Nm of torque to propel the 985kg Taigun from 0-100km/h in 9.2 seconds and to a top speed of 185 km/h. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox , the Volkswagen Taigun will accelerate from 0-62 mph in 9.2 seconds, delivering fuel economy of 50 mpg approximately.
[alert style="green"] 2013 Volkswagen Taigun photos [/alert]
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