crankandpiston.com waves goodbye to both our Tiguan R-Line and Volkswagen’s reign on the Management Fleet
[Not a valid template]| Driver's Log | |
|---|---|
| Date acquired: | March 2014 |
| Total kilometres: | 3575km |
| Kilometres this month: | N/A |
| Costs this month: | $0 |
| L/100km this month: | N/A |
And so our long term Volkswagen tenure comes to an end, and I’m not just referring to the Tiguan R-Line. Since October ’11, and the start of our time with the Scirocco, there have been only five months without a Volkswagen of one shape and/or creed on the Management Fleet. To some, ending this reign with a Tigun of all things might seem like sacrilege in the performance-focused world of crankandpiston.com. Eu contraire…
We’ll admit that the 200bhp output from turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder and a 1629kg kerb weight didn’t result in earth spanking turns of speed, but a decent 207lb ft worth of torque – plus the added bonus of all-wheel drive for channeling those stallions smoothly to the road – meant the Tiguan was surprisingly nippy off the line, even energetic once we’d given the six-speed Sport the heave-ho and opted for the tiptronic manual. Throw in good balance through the corners (despite the height of the vehicle), decent feel for the front end and some effective anchors to grind that 200bhp to a standstill, and the Volkswagen proved a surprisingly nimble addition to the fleet. Brought in primarily for its everyday practicality – namely that big boot and acres of headroom – the Tiguan R-Line leaves having impressed us considerably.
It’s not been a loan without causalities though. Early on our mini SUV quite literally ground to a halt with an impromptu puncture, though the diligent work of both Volkswagen Middle East and the Al Nabooda service centre meant the Tiguan was not off the road for long. The lack of a USB socket and the ‘practicalities’ of leather seats during the Middle Eastern summer incurred Ms Frorath’s wrath last month too, as did the slightly dim-witted reactions of the rear-view camera on start-up.
All minor niggles though. Once again Volkswagen has demonstrated to us why you can rarely go wrong with one of their daily drivers. Indeed, it’s one of the reasons so many of the team have bought VWs (with their own money and everything). We doubt Volkswagen’s sabbatical from crankandpiston’s Management Fleet will be a lengthy one.
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| Volkswagen | Tiguan 4Motion R-Line | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine: | Inline 4-cyl / turbocharged intercooled / 1984cc | |
| Power: | 200bhp @ 5100rpm | |
| Torque: | 207 lb-ft @ 1700rpm | |
| Transmission: | Six-speed tiptronic transmission / all-wheel drive | |
| Front suspension: | Strut-type with lower control arms / coil springs / telescopic dampers / 22mm anti-roll bar | |
| Rear suspension: | Multilink / coil springs / telescopic dampers / anti-roll bar | |
| Brakes: | Power assisted / dual circuit / 12.3 x 1.0-in vented discs (front) / 11.1 x 0.5-in solid discs (rear) | |
| Wheels: | 9J x 19 front and rear / R-Line alloy wheels 'Mallory' | |
| Tyres: | 255/40 R19 front and rear | |
| Weight (kerb) | 1629kg | |
| 0-100kph: | TBC | |
| Top speed: | TBC |
