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VW is Planning a 3rd SUV to Fit Between the Tiguan and Touareg

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VW is reportedly working on a 3rd SUV to fit in between the newly released Tiguan and the larger Touareg SUVs.

The new SUV is supposedly going to be released in 2011 and is aimed at the recently unveiled Volvo XC60. Rather than use a modified version of the new Audi Q5 platform, VW is going to use a modified version of the next-generation Passat for the midsize SUV. It was originally thought that VW would just release a stretched version of the Tiguan similar to what Nissan did to its Qashqai SUV in Europe. But since the next Touareg is supposedly going to move up in size, VW thought it would be better to build a stand alone SUV built off the next-gen Passat mechanicals.

This new model is partly due to the critcisms from US dealers that have said the Tiguan is too small and too expensive to make an impact.

Full Story: Autocar

Related Stories:
2008 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV Revealed Before Its Official Unveiling this Fall
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan Will Start at $22,490

Comments (10)

Kell:

/fail

Drummer:

When other manufacturers are moving AWAY from SUVs because of soaring gasoline prices, why is VW moving toward them? I don't get it. Sounds like this new SUV will really replace the Touareg, with the Touareg growing even bigger.
Each generation of VW keeps getting bigger and bigger. Whatever happened to the kind of cars we enjoyed in the 60's & 70's? They were smaller, easier to drive, easier to park, and sipped gasoline.

the dorque retard:

@drummer,

we dont fit in them anymore

Cheap Car Lover:

Crash safety standards ruined small cars. In the 70's a small car weighed 1 ton. Now a small car is 3400 pounds or less.

paul:

Yeah...Why not?

Patrick:

"When other manufacturers are moving AWAY from SUVs because of soaring gasoline prices, why is VW moving toward them? "

Actually, VW is doing it right! These SUV's are not that big AND VW will sell them as TDI's which will produce better MPH than most smaller cars.
It's a nice trade-off between room and gas savings.

WS:

Brilliant strategy! They wait until the minivan age is over before they introduce a minivan (and have Chrysler build it for them), and they wait until a global energy crisis before they introduce two SUVs....brilliant!

gm0n3y:

Not that its much of a change for VW, but "fail" indeed.

bobby:

Yes!! I used to own the Touareg V10 TDI. I love it to death but I sold it because it is too small for me. Too small to put stuffs inside...I ended up with Chevy Tahoe, a perfect size for me. I am hoping that one day VW will build the Touareg that will match the size of Chevy Tahoe!. Then I surely will buy that!! I know VW offer the best gas mileage for TDI engine. I hope this will occur sooner than 2011!! I can't wait that long...

bobby:

Yes!! I used to own the Touareg V10 TDI. I love it to death but I sold it because it is too small for me. Too small to put stuffs inside...I ended up with Chevy Tahoe, a perfect size for me. I am hoping that one day VW will build the Touareg that will match the size of Chevy Tahoe!. Then I surely will buy that!! I know VW offer the best gas mileage for TDI engine. I hope this will occur sooner than 2011!! I can't wait that long...

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