The Vehicle Launch Index ranks how well new vehicle models — including new entries to the market and all-new and redesigned models — perform during the first eight months after launch. The Genesis blew the rest of the pack of 27 new models out of the water, with a score of 689 on a 1,000-point scale. Following the Hyundai Genesis in the rankings are the 2009 Ford F-150 (673) and 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan (663).

It's the third major award for the Hyundai Genesis. Consumer Reports rated it the top new upscale sedan, besting the Lexus ES 350. The Genesis also won the 2009 North American Car & Truck Of The Year award.

On the lower end of JD Power's scale were the 2009 Dodge Journey (513), 2009 Pontiac Vibe (504), 2009 Dodge Ram (459) and the Vibe's platform brother-in-arms, the 2009 Toyota Matrix (439).

Full press release below and the full chart of all 27 newly-launched vehicles are above. Click the graphic to enlarge the list to something more legible.

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Hyundai Genesis Ranks Highest in Inaugural Vehicle Launch Index

Getting New Vehicles Right from the Start is Critical, as Automakers Will Pour $50 Billion Into U.S. Launches During the Next Four Years

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 22 July 2009 - The 2009 Hyundai Genesis ranks highest in launch performance among vehicle models introduced during the first ten months of 2008, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Launch Index SM (VLI) released today.

The inaugural Vehicle Launch Index quantifies how well new vehicle models-including new entries to the market and all-new and redesigned models-perform during the first eight months after launch. The VLI examines various factors that are critical to the financial success of a launch, including turn rate, vehicle revenue, dealer gross profit, incentive spend, credit quality and residual value. In addition, VLI includes the key factors of vehicle quality and design, based on the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) and Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.SM

The Vehicle Launch Index is an independent measure designed to help automakers plan and execute successful vehicle launches in order to maximize revenue and profits, minimize incentive spending and maintain high residual values during a model's lifecycle.

"Launching new vehicles successfully is critical to the financial success of every automaker," said Gary Dilts, senior vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. "Given lower consumer demand, vehicle proliferation and the financial pressures on the auto industry, every manufacturer must get it ‘right' from the start. By carefully analyzing more than 90 vehicle launches that have been executed in the United States, we have determined the key factors for launch success."

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis is the leading example of initial launch success and ranks highest among the 27 models examined in the 2009 VLI, with a score of 689 on a 1,000-point scale. Following the Hyundai Genesis in the rankings are the 2009 Ford F-150 (673) and 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan (663).

J.D. Power and Associates forecasts that automakers will conduct 205 new-model launches in the U.S. between 2009 and 2012 and will invest approximately $50 billion in the process. Of the 205 new models, 80 will be new entries to the market, 52 will be all-new models, and 73 will be major redesigns.

"With so much at stake, it is more critical than ever for manufacturers to launch new models that meet their financial targets, as well as product quality and consumer appeal benchmarks," said Dilts. "While some domestic manufacturers are facing tight scrutiny from the federal government and taxpayers, every automaker across the globe is being closely monitored both by governments and shareholders. Strong showings by new models are vital to the economic security of the automakers and will be instrumental in rebuilding Americans' confidence in the auto industry."

The VLI has identified the following key elements that drive the success of newly-launched models:

* Optimal vehicle price and volume levels are established prior to launch;
* Manufacturers sustain the proper product mix and incentive support;
* Automakers and dealers effectively manage inventory levels and turn rates;
* The model is attractively designed and provides high levels of consumer appeal in terms of styling, performance, functionality and ease of operation;
* The model launches with high initial quality, enhancing the automaker's image and supporting residual values.

Conversely, the following conditions lead to less-successful model launches:

* Unrealistic expectations regarding pricing and sales volumes;
* Poor balance of supply and demand, leading to excessive inventory levels;
* Inadequate vehicle appeal and poor initial quality leading to low consumer acceptance and a tarnished brand image.

The 2009 Vehicle Launch Index includes 2008 and 2009 model-year vehicles first sold between January and October 2008. Vehicles must be all-new or major redesigns and must sell at least 5,000 units during the first eight months to be included. The index is based on proprietary information collected through the Power Information Network and J.D. Power and Associates' consumer research.

The Vehicle Launch Index is part of J.D. Power and Associates' 10-module Launch Assurance Program designed to provide automakers with immediate and actionable insights about their vehicle models from initial concept and product development through manufacturing and distribution to the initial ownership experience.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: Yes
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Snobs: Yes
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: Yes
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: Yes

Also Consider:
• Ford Escape
• Ford Edge
• Nissan Rogue
• Saturn Vue
• Acura RDX
• Infiniti EX35
• Four-Door Volkswagen GTI
• Toyota RAV4
• Dude, just get a SportWagen

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Volkswagen
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: $23,200
• Price as Tested: N/A
• Engine type: 2.0-liter Turbo I4
• Horsepower: 200 @ 5,100 - 6,000 RPM
• Torque: 206 @ 1,700 - 5,000 RPM
• Transmission: 6-speed Tiptronic Automatic
• Curb Weight: 3,433 lbs
• LxWxH: 174.3" x 71.2" x 66.3"
• Wheelbase: 102.5"
• Tires: 215/65 R16
• 0 - 60 mph: 7.8 Seconds
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 19/26 MPG
• NHTSA crash test rating: N/A

Also see:

• 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan S, Part One
• 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan S, Part Two

Acceleration: ***
The turbo four, the standard engine for every version of the Tiguan, propels the Tiguan to 60 mph in just under eight seconds. It's enough power to quickly accelerate past traffic at highway speeds when the six-speed tiptronic transmission is in "sport" mode. In "regular" mode the transmission takes its time, almost as if it needs to call VW headquarters to make sure it's cleared to speed up before acceleration commences.

Braking: ****
As competent as the Tiguan's brakes are, and they're perfect for a vehicle this size, the parking brake is perhaps the neatest feature. Unlike the typical lever-activated handbrake or the modern push-button job, the VW has a paddle-actuated electronic parking brake with Auto Hold, which allows the driver to set the car to automatically engage the brake if on a hill. This serves almost no purpose on this tiptronic-equipped car but would have been awesome if we'd had been given a manual model to test.

Ride: ***
Even with the same three-spoke steering wheel as the Rabbit, you'll not be easily confused about what VW you're cruising in. The Tiguan offers an enjoyably soft ride ideal for the kind of customer it's going to attract. Crossing long stretches of highway there's little excess vibration and not a hint of harshness.

Handling: **
Though the steering response is quick and the crossover has a tight steering angle, the Tiguan's height and excess weight conspire against it when it comes to piloting around turns. Perhaps it's because they've played up the sportiness of the Tiguan so much, but I felt it didn't meet expectations. Too much lean. Too much chirp in the corners. Nothing about the handling helps the Tiguan differentiate itself from the competition.

Gearbox: ***
Not surprisingly, we'd recommend the six-speed manual over the tiptronic six-speed automanual. In normal driving, the transmission suffers from a high-school-Senior-early-accepted-to-Notre-Dame level of torpor. Choosing to select your own gears doesn't help much, either. The "sport" mode, however, selects slightly more aggressive shift points and speeds up the process.

Audio: **
Though the sound coming out of the 8-speaker system isn't bad, the basic in-dash CD system is too simple. The buttons are too large and the display too small, as if it were a Fisher Price My First Car Radio. Even more annoying, all models come with an auxiliary iPod port but this radio is unable to interface with it. It just sits there and basically mocks you. Booooo.

Toys: *
In S trim, the basest of base levels, the Tiguan doesn't offer much more than the auto hold feature as an added extra. If you want to expand the definition of toy, the rear seat features a fold-flat section with built-in cupholders. Yeah! Cupholders.

Value: ***
The Tiguan is well positioned as a vehicle slightly nicer than the cheaper-feeling and lower-priced Escape, with a better look than the Vue and performance not that far off from the significantly more expensive Acura RDX. Assuming good reliability, and this is a large assumption, the added cost may be worth it to someone who is not moved by the domestic or Japanese offerings but can't swing a Lexus.

Overall: ***
Based on the rest of the segment, Volkswagen has accomplished no small feat with the Tiguan. They've built a CUV with sporty looks and the quickness necessary to appeal to buyers who think it's what they want, but cushy and comfortable enough to meet their actual needs. If I needed the space and wanted a VW I'd be more inclined towards the more nimble SportWagen. But, the Tiguan's a vehicle something I'd let my girlfriend get without much protest.

Also see:

• 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan S, Part One

The book in question, Nixonland by Rick Perlstein, was rather appropriate for the trip I was making. It discusses how Richard Nixon managed to take us from a country that overwhelmingly elected Lyndon Johnson and his Great Society to one that overwhelmingly elected Nixon and his secretive society.

I say appropriate because Austin, my destination, is full of the kind of liberal McGovernites that Nixon used to divide the country to his advantage. Volkswagen has always been the brand of liberals [well, post Hitler – Ed.]. From the Volkswagen Beetles of the free love generation to the Passat station wagons of the yuppie crowd, if you see that VeeDub logo on the front you're more likely to see a "visualize world peace" sticker than a "Newt in 2012" one.

But the genius of Nixon wasn't that he divided the world into liberals and conservatives or Republicans and Democrats, it was that he split society into the elites and everyone else. Perlstein focuses on an undergraduate election at the Whittier College, where Nixon won the election for president of the student body by taking on the campus elite, represented by an organization called The Franklins. Nixon formed his own group, The Orthogonian Society, made up of everyone else. He won by a large margin.

Driving from Houston to Austin I had plenty of time to consider whether the Tiguan, in a compact crossover segment that's becoming increasingly crowded, is an Orthigonian everyman like the Ford Escape or in the more elite company of the Infiniti EX35. Who would drive the Tiguan? Richard Nixon or John Lindsey?

On the open road the torquey turbo four, shared with just about every other VW product, has a distinctly European feel to it. The quick response and ample torque across the rev range suggests good breeding and a life spent at boarding schools. Think Phillips Exeter Academy or Georgetown Prep. I hoped, while passing through Bastrop County, a notoriously Orthogonian area, that no one would notice the Franklinesque nature of the powertrain.

Pulling into Austin I predictably hit traffic and decide to carve my way through some hilly backstreets on the way to my friend's house. Here's where the Tiguan finds a more common attitude. It's a familiar ride to anyone who has driven a car in this segment. Not overly soft or abrasive. Not exciting but not disappointing. Though it shares a platform with the Golf/Rabbit/GTI family you'd be forgiven for not realizing it around turns as this crossover is a victim of its size and (car) class. It's height adding lean and vagueness, but its size retaining enough of the Golf's nimbleness to ensure it never feels totally out of its element around bends. Orthogonions would approve.

When I finally caught up with Dan he inspected the book and was satisfied to see that it was in almost perfect condition. It was time to repair to dinner so, along with his girlfriend, we hopped into the Tiguan. Dan, like many Austinites, drives a Volkswagen Golf when not using public transportation and is therefore familiar with the automaker's appointments. He liked it. Even in the basest of trims the Volkswagen stands above its non-luxury competitors — the Ford Escape and Saturn Vue — in terms of design, material and feel. The Tiguan's interior is light, airy, uncluttered and made from high quality materials; no cheap plastics or undamped switchgear in here. It's big too, the body's added height adding a roominess the Golf it's based on is totally lacking. A point for the Franklins.

I point out the folding seats and rather simple radio as a way of racking up more points for the common set, hoping to get the kind of even balance that makes these kinds of comparisons more relevant, but it doesn’t quite work. Driving around in a German CUV, even one that isn't particularly luxurious, is still driving around in a European car. An impoverished Duke is still a Duke.

In the end, the Tiguan ends up being not common enough to be an Orthogonian though not quite luxurious and well bred enough to be a true Franklin. We'll call it a Franklin anyways. As Nixon became more paranoid just about everyone who wasn't completely in support of his presidency became lumped in with the Franklins and, were he to know that we were on our way to a place that served gourmet cafeteria food, he'd probably consider us Franklins too.

Tiguan Performance Concept
Stylish, powerful and rockin' are three words that describe the Tiguan Performance. An upgraded exterior body kit, a three-stage turbo kit ringing out 312 hp and 319 lbs. ft of torque and a custom designed and built sound system from Rockford Fosgate leave this Tiguan looking great, driving great and sounding great.

[World Car Fans]

This isn't completely ludicrous as the GTI shares the same platform and drivetrain as the Tiguan, though exterior styling is dramatically different. We see this is as a positive for Tiguan drivers that want to feel better about buying an SUV, though we wonder if GTI owners might not appreciate the sentiment. Time will tell if this move allows VW to move the targeted 20-25K vehicles.

[AutoNews via Motive Forums]

We'll know more when the Essen Motor Show kicks off at the end of this week, but in the meantime feel free to enjoy the uber-white VW. [VW via WorldCarFans]

The New Tiguan
Tiguan sets new standards with its high level of driving dynamics

- Driving-active Tiguan redefines interface between SUV and car
- First Volkswagen with fully charged engines without exception
- New and quiet common rail TDIs already fulfill Euro-5 emissions standard
- Maximum trailer load of 2,500 kilograms marks best value in its segment

* Wolfsburg, 11. September 2007. Volkswagen is showing the new Tiguan in a world premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. This "small brother" of the Touareg can be recommended to all those car drivers who enjoy the individual visual appearance and versatility of a SUV, but also expect a premium level of comfort, agility and variability. Its chassis sets new standards in the world of SUVs, because i t is extremely driving-active and safe. All five engines - for the first time on the global SUV market all engines are charged without exception - already deliver, powerful propulsion just above the idling speed. Today, the completely new and very quiet common rail TDIs already satisfy the Euro-5 standard that does not go into effect until 2009. Upon request, the Tiguan can be parked nearly automatically in the urban jungle by the Park Assist feature. Off-road, on the other hand, the latest radio-navigation system (RNS 510) navigates its occupants back to civilization using its off-road function. Meanwhile, with up to 1,510 liters of cargo space, the Tiguan exhibits van qualities. 2,500 kilograms of trailer load also define the absolute best value in the Tiguan segment.

Trend&Fun and Sport&Style as clever and agile all-round talents

* Very intentionally, Tiguan - offered in the equipment versions Trend&Fun, Sport&Style and Track&Field - is being offered in two body variants: The Trend&Fun and Sport&Style versions were specifically designed for primarily on-road use. Their agile, safe and highly comfortable driving behaviors are equal to those of a car. At the same time, these Tiguans do not shy away from either off-road drives or trailer loads. They leave the really rock-tough off-road routes to the Tiguan Track&Field.

Track&Field for more serious off-road duty

* The Tiguan Track&Field was specially designed for life off of the asphalted trails. Different than the Trend&Fun and Sport&Style versions, this especially adventure-friendly Tiguan exhibits a more extreme entry angle (28 instead of 18 degrees; maximum angle without the vehicle impacting the trail in front). As standard equipment the Tiguan Track&Field also has a newly developed off-road mode that awakens an entire armada of assistance systems to make drives off-road especially safe.

First SUV in the world exclusively with charged engines

* As already outlines, the Tiguan is the first SUV in the world to be offered exclusively with charged engines. The advantage of engine charging: More power, less fuel consumption and lower emissions. Take the example of the gasoline engines: There will be three new TSIs - direct injection engines with turbocharging or turbocharging plus supercharging. The four cylinders deliver 110 kW / 150 PS, 125 kW / 170 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS. Take the example of the diesel: A completely redeveloped generation of noticeably quieter common rail four cylinder engines is being employed here. The two TDIs output 103 kW / 140 PS and 125 kW / 170 PS and smash the Euro-5 emissions standard.

Full-time 4MOTION all-wheel drive and two six-speed gearboxes

* Full-time all-wheel drive is absolutely essential off-road. On paved streets an intelligent all-wheel drive also improves active safety. In the Tiguan the latest generation of 4MOTION all-wheel drive is used. It is shifted by manual, or optionally automatic, six-speed transmissions. Both transmissions satisfy special off-road requirements. The manual transmission can be driven at an engine speed of 1,000 rpm or vehicle speed of just 6.69 km/h, for example; this practically equals the crawler gear of a reduction gearbox. The automatic transmission has gear level preselect; in off-road use it prevents shifting to the next higher gear.

A SUV interior with the variability of a van

* The Tiguan is an all-round talent. This characterization not only describes its powertrain properties, but also the multivariable and very spacious interior. The rear bench seat is split with a 60:40 ratio, it can be adjusted 16 centimeters in the longitudinal direction, and the rear seatback has multiple tilt adjustment settings. This provides either more legroom in the rear or additional space in the cargo area. Available as an option is a double cargo f loor including cargo management system. Also standard on the Tiguan Track&Field and Sport&Style is a folding front passenger seat so that very long objects can be stowed. With regard to the seat position, the passengers travel exceptionally comfortably, not only in front but also in the rear. The reason: Similar to the case in a movie theater, rear passenger seating is a bit higher and therefore more relaxed.

The Tiguan parks independently and finds the way back from the desert all by itself

* On board an SUV for the first time is the Park Assist feature, with which the Tiguan turns into a parking space nearly automatically and impressively. The off-road mode already mentioned is a technology show; no other SUV in the world can call upon such a network of safety systems off-road at the press of a button. The Tiguan also exhibits its mastery when it comes to trailer load: It may range up to 2,500 kilograms, which is handled by the new, swiveling trailer hitch. In a class by themselves are the touchscreen radio and navigation systems; the top model (RNS 510) offers a standard 30 gigabyte hard disk memory, an off-road navigation mode and rearview camera. Any of the passengers can also look through a panorama sunroof at the sky of the savannah or the city.

Press Release:

Volkswagen at the IAA 2007: Marketing campaign with eight world premieres

· SUV: World premiere of an agile Tiguan
· Prototype: World premiere of a slick City Expert
· BlueMotion: Six new models at a stroke

Wolfsburg, 01 August 2007 - Volkswagen will present its widest product range of all time at the International Automobile Exhibition (IAA) in Frankfurt (13th to 23rd September). Europe's no. 1 will be presenting over fifty models on view in Hall 3.0 - eight of them world premieres. One of the highlights: the Tiguan - an entirely new generation of SUV developed to complement the Touareg. And if all that's not enough: Volkswagen will respond to the official motto of this year's IAA - "see what's driving tomorrow" - with a prototype. The heart of this sensationally flexible City Expert will beat where the flat-four "Boxer" engine once did in the Beetle. When the gates open at the IAA, six new BlueMotion models will also make their debut. From 2008 onward Volkswagen will offer nine vehicles under the BlueMotion label.

Volkswagen will welcome visitors to the IAA in an exposition area of 9,000 square metres. The centrepiece of that will be the Tiguan. It is the world's first production model exclusively equipped with supercharged engines. It offers two particular advantages: lower fuel consumption and still fun to drive. Also new: the remarkably quiet four-cylinder diesel engine with common-rail injection. The two new TDIs produce 103 kW/140 PS and 125 kW/170 PS respectively. Both engines already conform to the Euro 5 exhaust standards that will be introduced in 2009. You will be able to "see what's driving tomorrow" here and now.

Moreover, Volkswagen will unveil six new BlueMotion models at the same time. Therefore, in the course of 2008, there will be at least nine BlueMotion models available. The Volkswagen BlueMotion environmental label will certainly become a byword for effective environmental protection. The versions already available - the Polo BlueMotion (3.8 litres of Diesel consumed per 100 km and 99 g/km CO2) and Passat BlueMotion (5.1 litres of Diesel consumed per 100 km and 136 g/km CO2) - have already redefined the standards of economy in their respective classes.

The Volkswagen press conference will be held on 11th September at 11.00 a.m. in Hall 3.0, on the Volkswagen stand. Dr. Martin Winterkorn will present the new Tiguan there, as well as the prototype of a future compact model.

The coming Volkswagen Tiguan SUV has indeed been somewhat of a buzz magnet, not leastwise due to VW's engaging of enthusiasts in a kind of "snakes on a mother@$#%ing plane" audience participation exercise. But choosing the name of an SUV isn't quite like picking out obvious dialog for Samuel L. Jackson. More than 350,000 readers of car mags owned by the Autobild group in 10 countries chose Tiguan over such howlers as Nanuk, Namib, Rockton and Samun (no offense to the indigenous peoples who bear those names). Then the company "pre-released" shots of the SUV wearing spy-thwarting Hyundai badges. Now, two months ahead of the Frankfurt show where it'll make its debut, the company is revealing the Tiguan as it'll look in the world's forecourts. One nugget to mull over, Volkswagen says it will offer the SUV exclusively with turbocharged direct injection engines. Worldwide. Could a torque monster be in your future? – Mike Spinelli

Press Release:

First pictures: Powerful appearance - this is the new Tiguan
- Statement: new Volkswagen SUV with powerful design
- Borderliner: predestined for the street, in top form for off-road

Wolfsburg, 28 June 2007 - With the first pictures of the new Tiguan Volkswagen is starting the countdown for the debut of it's 14th model series. The Sports Utility Vehicle - SUV for short - will be presented to the public for the first time in September as part of the International Motor Show (IAA in Frankfurt). A combination of power and elegance characterizes the design of the new Tiguan. It was conceived as a borderliner between the urban world and endless landscapes, between business and leisure time. The Tiguan is a multitalent with driving characteristics that are just as agile as they are comfortable, high utility value and groundbreaking technologies.

Like the Touareg, the second Volkswagen SUV also presents a self-confident design. Shaping the front of the new Tiguan are the sexy proportions that Volkswagen first introduced with the Concept A Study that garnered worldwide attention - a crossover of a coupe and SUV. On the sides an elongated and powerfully modulated silhouette spans between the extended wheel arches with a - typical Volkswagen - unmistakable C-pillar. A very short overhang characterizes the steep rear end. Also significant are the front headlights and rear lights with matching shapes.

First facts on Tiguan engines: Volkswagen will offer the SUV - and this for the first time worldwide - exclusively with turbocharged direct injection engines. This "high-performance turbocharging" significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions, yet immensely increases dynamics and driving fun.

Overall there are three TSI and two TDI engines. Of these the completely new developments are the extremely quiet TDIs with common rail fuel injection. They achieve 103 kW / 140 hp and 125 kW / 170 hp and at 1,750 rpm already output 320 Nm or 350 Nm in four-wheel drive. Both TDIs already meet the limits of the Euro-5 standard first coming into effect in 2009.

Also getting to the point powerfully, economically and cleanly are the turbocharged direct injection gasoline engines in the performance levels 110 kW / 150 hp, 125 kW / 170 hp and 147 kW / 200 hp. New to the Volkswagen program are the 150 hp and 170 hp versions. A glance at the torque values makes one sense that the TSIs are very high torque. The 150-hp TSI already develops a self-assured 240 Nm (from 1,750 rpm). In the 170 hp and 200 hp performance range it is 280 Nm (from 1,800 rpm each).

"Tiguan Base" on the internet shows just how big the interest is in the new Tiguan. Visitors to www.tiguan-base.com can log in to the virtual world of the Tiguan. The development stages of the new SUV are presented in photos, films and facts. Within just 15 weeks - and this is sensational - more than one million people have made use of it worldwide. It looks as though the Tiguan is developing into an exciting chapter in the history of the automobile.

Related:
New Volkswagen Tiguan, In the Flesh [internal]

Well, this is a new one. Volkswagen's released a photo spread and new info on its upcoming Tiguan small SUV well before a proper revealing. You'll note it's still got strategically changed or blacked-out badging for dramatic effect. Named by readers in a German magazine poll, the Tiguan refers to a secret tribe of indigenous land dwellers whose jackal-like diet comprises meat products they've scrounged from Hickory Farms gift baskets picked over by their co-workers (or so we'd hoped). The pics were shot during final-phase development testing in Namibia. Notable features are an "off-road" switch that activates a set of driver-assistance systems (mainly locking diff and hill-climb assist and ABS for loose road conditions), and Volkswagen's new-generation radio and navigation system, which includes a 30 gig hard drive and back-up camera. Expect a Frankfurt rollout for the new ute, whose export to the US is inevitable. – Mike Spinelli

Press Release:

The New Tiguan: Acceptance Drive in Namibia
Trial Phase completed with a last hard test
Wolfsburg, 05 June 2007 - Tiguan comes with a completely new generation radio and navigation system

The first SUV worldwide with Park Assist

Offroad Mode activates an armada of assistance systems at the touch of a switch

Chassis layout enables high reserves of agility and safety

Volkswagen will complete the development phase of the new Tiguan with a final extreme test in Namibia. During the final acceptance drive on the African continent, the electronic components and chassis of the new SUV are the primary focus of testing. Considering the electronics, a technical highlight on board the Tiguan is of special interest for the testers: the completely new generation radio and navigation system. This was developed in close cooperation with the most important local Volkswagen operations in Europe, Asia and America. Worldwide development collaboration made it possible for a wider than ever pool of specialized know-how, and also the requirements of all markets, to influence the devices. The top system of the new line, with the designation RNS 510, has a 30 GB hard disk and is controlled with a touch screen. A rear-view camera enables a view behind in this case.

Completely new electronic systems also simplify offroad driving in the Tiguan. The particularly agile and dynamic SUV uses an innovative network of assistance systems with the name of "Offroad Mode". Just on touch of a switch activates a whole armada of safety features, supporting the driver in a multitude of situations.

THE TIGUAN VERSIONS

Innovation: All engines of the Tiguan are charged.
18 and 28 degrees: Two front ends with different entry angles.

Five motors. All of the engine and body versions of the Tiguan have to "swallow" the dust of Namibia in this final test. Volkswagen will be offering the SUV - and this is unique so far - exclusively with charged engines. The TSIs (gasoline) output 110 kW / 150 PS, 125 kW / 170 and 147 kW / 200 PS; and the TDIs (diesel) develop 103 kW / 140 PS and 125 kW / 170 PS.

Two front ends. The two body variants of the Tiguan differ primarily in their front ends. The "Trend & Fun" and "Sport & Style" versions are designed for a maximum entry angle of 18 degrees in front. The "Track & Field" Tiguan that is tuned even more for offroad duty can assume entry angles of up to 28 degrees with its front end.

During the testing program in Africa, as however already mentioned, the emphasis is less on engines and entry angles than on final checking of the electronics and chassis.

THE TIGUAN CHASSIS

Front axle: McPherson system with aluminum support frame.
Rear axle: Innovative four-link rear axle is ideally matched to the four-wheel drive system 4MOTION.

Long before the first prototype was built, it had been decided that the new Tiguan should be an extremely actively driving and safe SUV. The development team pulled out all the stops to achieve this goal. The Tiguan now has to demonstrate in Africa that it achieves neutral to lightly understeering handling and an unusually low roll angle. Furthermore, the road holes along the edge of the Namib Desert should once more test how well the highly dynamic driving characteristics and excellent ride comfort interact under the hardest conditions. Because the demands on the car were clearly stated in the specification: to set benchmarks in dynamics, comfort and active safety. These goals were foremost in chassis development:

* Agile driving behavior

* Very good vibration behavior and ride comfort

* Low roll angle with harmonic roll dynamics

* High driving dynamic stability

* Good Offroad handling

Front axle. The demands are achieved with a chassis layout that sets standards in this class: at the front end, the Tiguan has a McPherson axle specially optimized for the SUV with lower A-arm steering linkage and the wheels hung from damper struts. The axle is located with a one-piece aluminum sub frame.

Rear axle. The four-link rear axle has also been adapted to best suit the permanent four-wheel drive system 4MOTION. The four-link rear axle of the Tiguan is specially intended for this combination. The extremely robust, but at the same time dynamically laid out axle geometry has already proved itself in the Passat 4MOTION. However, to cope with the stresses of offroad driving, the Tiguan has an entirely newly developed and weight-optimized high-strength steel sub frame instead of the equivalent aluminum component.

The rear axle of the front-wheel drive Tiguan has been modified correspondingly. Items no longer found on board include: Cardan shaft, rear final drive and drive shafts. But the sub frame is utilized in both drive variants. The innovative modular system of this rear axle has a decidedly positive effect on costs.

For the rear axle, newly developed shock absorbers were developed with increased oil volume; a favorable temperature level makes the absorbers well equipped for even the toughest offroad use. Like the front damper struts, also newly developed, both components provide for exceptionally good ride comfort properties.

A new generation of steering. A technological highlight in the indirect chassis area is the completely new generation of electromechanical power steering. A decisive advantage of the system: Despite the very precise steering feeling, even in offroad operation no jolts whatsoever are transmitted to the steering wheel. Primarily responsible for this is a newly constructed steering gear.

Wheels and tires. Providing contact to the road or trail on the base versions of the Tiguan are 16-inch wheels with 215/65 R16 tires. The "Sport & Style" Tiguan also has as standard 17-inch alloy wheels and 235/55 R17 tires. 18-inch wheels with tires in 235/50 R18 format are available as special equipment.

TIGUAN ELECTRONICS

Innovation: First Volkswagen with a new generation radio and navigation system.
Safety at the press of a button: offroad switch activates network of assistance systems.

Also in the area of electronics, the Tiguan was designed to set new standards in the compact SUV class. Typical of Volkswagen is the high standard it sets for making the interface to the driver as comfortable as possible. An example of this on the Tiguan is a newly designed radio and navigation system generation. The software and hardware of this new system fulfill the highest demands for operation, sound and the multitude of functions offered.

The RNS 510. A glance at the top device - a radio navigation system with the designation RNS 510, emphasizes this impressively. The RNS 510 is controlled using fixed menu buttons, two knobs and a touch screen for the numerous information, entertainment and system functions. In this case a rear-view camera eases the view behind, a standard fitting.

The hardware of the RNS 510 includes a 6.5" wide VGA color display with 800 X 480 pixels and outstanding brilliance. A power PC processor with 400 MHz and its own graphic processor enable fast computing. The navigation and entertainment data are saved on a 30 GB hard disk. It is also possible to incorporate accessories into the RNS 510 like the telephone control, an iPod and other MP3 players. Combination with a Dynaudio sound system is also possible.

Offroad navigation. A further innovation of the RNS 510 is a specially developed offroad navigation system. This mode makes it possible to record up to 500 route points during a journey, even in non-digitized areas. This allows the driver to find his or her way back from offroad adventures into any desert or steppe. In edit mode, the driver can modify the route as desired. A glance at the map in the RNS 510 display offers the required orientation.

Park Assist. The further countless high-end technologies on board the Tiguan include the world's first park steering assistant to be installed in a SUV. This is called Park Assist and enables automatic steering into a parking space.

Offroad Mode. The core capability of a SUV - offroad function - will also be dealt with and perfected electronically in the new Tiguan. And this through just one switch, which activates the Offroad Mode. This will be offered exclusively on the Tiguan "Track & Field" and will improve offroad vehicle handling significantly. The initial idea behind the "Offroad Mode" was that all key offroad support functions should be activated by a central user control. Specifically, one switch activates the "hill descent assistant" (for optimal control on slopes), "adaptation of driver's pedal characteristic" (for finer gradations of torque), "EDS adaptation" (electronic differential locks are activated at the slightest slip), "ABS adaptation" (improved braking action on loose road materials), "hill climb assist" (support when climbing and protection of the clutch) and - in conjunction with automatic transmission - "gear preselect" (including optimal engine braking action). These numerous functions involve up to five ECUs that manage the systems.

The pushbutton itself is connected to the engine controller. From there, the information "Offroad Mode active" is communicated to other ECUs via the vehicle's CAN bus. For safety reasons, the function has to be reactivated after each ignition cycle.

Just how "intelligently" the electronics react is demonstrated by considering an offroad driving situation that is not all that uncommon: An engine stall can even happen to professional drivers offroad. This deactivates the Offroad Mode, and assistance systems are turned off. But the electronics of the Tiguan detects this as a "stall" and when the engine is restarted all offroad assistance systems are up and running again immediately.

Related:
LA Auto Show: Tigga, Please! It's the VW Tiguan Concept [internal]

The wonderful thing about Tiguans/Is Tiguans are wonderful things/Their tops are made out of rubber ALUMINUM UND SHTEEL, MEIN HERREN UND DAMEN!/Their bottoms are made out of springs

Yes, springs and some very, very strange tires that look as if the driver had rolled through a catastrophic cadmium-orange Liquitex spill. Still, we like the basic look of the Tiguan, even if we find the detailing on this particular example to lack the expected Bruceosity. Will it be bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun? We think the wonderful thing about this particular Tiguan is that it's thankfully the only one. – Davey G. Johnson

Related:
LA Auto Show Preview: Volkswagen Tiguan Concept Revealed [Internal]

The engine was developed through the friends-with-benefits trifecta of VW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.

VW Tiguan Design Study Slide Show [NYT]

Related:
Breaking! Ford's Way Forward 2.0: The Markets And The New York Times Wait For No Man Or Mulally; Tom Friedman Will Be On Every User's Page: New York Times Building A MySpace For Cars [internal]

This week at the LA Auto Show, Volkswagen will take the wraps off its Tiguan concept, showcasing the company's upcoming compact SUV of the same name (a mashup of tiger and iguana — don't ask). There's no sign of fear from the Honda CR-Vs and Toyota RAV4s of the world yet, but the V-dub entry will nonetheless encroach on their territory when the first production model rolls off the line to begin in late-2007. The junior Touareg will be based on the Rabbit's architecture (see the Golf Plus for clues and engine choices) and likely celebrate its coming-out at the Frankfurt show next fall. Expect a US launch in LA next year. – Mike Spinelli [UPDATE: The concept is powered by VW's first Bluetec diesel from its new partnership with DaimlerChrysler. Check out last night's introduction ceremony at Winding Road.]

Related:
Tig-What? Is This the Volkswagen Tiguan Concept? [internal]

According to Germany's Auto Motor un Sport, VW will introduce its new Tiguan small SUV as a concept car that expresses a distinct reversal of the "Unpimp Mein Auto" philosophy ("Repimp Mein Auto"?). Whether or not the image above is the actual concept remains to be seen, but word is it'll get a similiar body kit, 22" rims and likely a lacquer-intensive paint scheme with the word "candy" in it. Look for it at the Los Angeles auto show in November.

VW Tiguan: Schau-Geschichten [Auto Motor und Sport]

Related:
More on the VW Tiguan [internal]

The shots of VW's new Tigger Tiger Iguana Tiguan are coming fast and furious now that V-dub's new small SUV is out and about for shakedown testing. Its lighly applied disguise cladding can't hide what's to come: a split difference between the Golf and Touareg. Will it take the new Acura RDX and recently regiggered Land Rover Freelander to task in the coming mini-luxo-ute wars of 2008, or will it come in further down-market in the RAV4 zone? Place your bets.

SPY PHOTOS: VW Tiguan [World Car Fans]

Related:
Tigers and Iguanas and Volkswagens, Oh My! - Spy Photos: VW Tiguan SUV [internal]

Well, well. If it isn't the first shots of VW's Tiguan SUV, pouring out of the spy pipeline like so many number sets from Turing's engine. A far-along pre-production model's been spotted wearing a skimpy disguise that leaves little to the imagination. What we see is a new, small SUV that will take on the world's Toyota RAVs and Honda CRVs, but with a bit more of the style — and precious naming scheme — VW introduced with the Touareg. The Tiguan, a name chosen by German magazine readers, is a mashup of tiger and iguana (in German), though this creature is none quite so exotic. Still, we've been waiting and here it is. Feed, sharks, feed.

Breaking: Actual photos of the Volkswagen Tiguan [Leftlane News]

Related:
Tiguana! VW Tiguan Design Study [internal]