As part of final test drives, the Volkswagen brand is announcing the first details of its currently best-selling model: The third generation of the new Tiguan will be available with a newly developed active suspension control system and full-size features such as HD Matrix headlights. It is based on the new generation of the modular transverse matrix, MQB evo. With plug-in hybrid drive, the new Tiguan will achieve electric ranges of up to 100 kilometres in the future. The world premiere will take place in autumn, and the bestseller will be launched on the market in 2024.

The Tiguan has been the Volkswagen brand's best-selling model worldwide for years. Since its debut in autumn 2007, more than 7.4 million people around the world have chosen this SUV.Now Volkswagen is completely relaunching the successful model.

Volkswagen has further developed the modular transverse matrix for the new Tiguan. The new generation is called MQB evo. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Brand Board of Management responsible for Technical Development: "State-of-the-art technology components interact perfectly in the MQB evo: a new generation of plug-in hybrid drives with electric ranges of up to 100 kilometres, probably the best active chassis control in its segment, premium interior quality and an equally new and intuitive infotainment system deliver what drivers expect from Volkswagen."

Some new features at a glance

IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights. The Tiguan will be one of the first vehicles in its class to be available with optional HD matrix headlights. The IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlight technology was developed jointly for the Tiguan and Touareg. Based on the top-down principle, the lighting technology of a premium-class model will now be used in the mid-sized Tiguan.

New display- and operating concept. The interior of the Tiguan has been revamped and designed.Volkswagen has taken specific customer requirements into account for intuitive operation. For example, the Tiguan comes onto the market with a newly developed cockpit and a new infotainment system. A screen with a diagonal of up to 38 centimetres (15 inches) clearly displays important functions such as navigation, music and climate control and can be customised with quick access. The center console also houses the Driving Experience Control. The rotary control with its own mini-screen can be used to control drive mode, radio volume or ambient lighting colours. High-quality materials, newly developed seats and effective noise insulation increase value and comfort. In particular, in conjunction with a new "acoustic package" (optional), the Tiguan is designed to provide premium-class noise comfort. The centre consoles also offer more space for storage.

In future, the Tiguan will be offered exclusively with an automated shift gearbox (DSG). Like on the Volkswagen ID. models, the gear position is now changed by means of a steering column switch on the right of the steering wheel with a self-explanatory operating principle. The switch is turned forwards to “D” to drive forwards and backwards to “R” to reverse, while the parking brake is activated by pressing the side of the switch. In addition, paddle shifters are available behind the steering wheel.

Electronically controlled suspension for more comfort and dynamics. The MQB evo provides the starting point for a new generation of the adaptive suspension control DCC: the optional DCC Pro with two-valve shock absorbers. The new model is now additionally equipped as standard with a 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. Thanks to the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which performs wheel-specific braking interventions and wheel-selective adjustments of the shock absorber hardness, the handling characteristics are more neutral, stable, agile and precise. This progress will be noticeable on board through increased comfort as well as significantly improved performance in dynamic cornering.

TDI, TSI, eTSI and eHybrid. Thanks to MQB evo, different drive types are possible for the Tiguan. It will be offered with turbodiesel engines (TDI), turbocharged petrol engines (TSI), mild hybrid turbocharged petrol engines (eTSI) and plug-in hybrid systems (eHybrid). The electric range of the new plug-in hybrid drives has been increased to up to 100 kilometres compared with the predecessors, depending on equipment. In addition, AC charging will be faster in all eHybrid versions, and DC charging will also be possible as standard for the first time.

Premium-class seats. The Tiguan will be optionally available with ergoActive front seats. Among other things, these seats come with pneumatic four-way lumbar support adjustment and a pneumatic 10-chamber pressure point massage function in the backrests – features that are usually found in premium-class models. They are also equipped with seat heating and ventilation.

Larger luggage compartment in the Tiguan. The new Tiguan grows in length by around three centimetres. Height, width and wheelbase remain almost identical to the predecessor. The luggage compartment capacity of the new generation shows just how good the use of space is: although the SUV is only slightly longer, its luggage compartment capacity has increased by 33 litres to 648 litres (when loaded up to the height of the rear seat backrests).

Articles source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen is giving an even stronger emotional charge to its brand and lends further momentum to its global e-strategy. Volkswagen, ZAG and Mediawan Kids & Family, the two co-producers, have inked an exclusive partnership for the upcoming animated family movie “Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie”. Volkswagen Chief Marketing Officer Nelly Kennedy said: “E-mobility is cool, and it is exciting. This is a perfect match with the characters and the story. We are thrilled that the movie’s beloved characters will experience their adventures with different fully electric cars of our Volkswagen ID. family.”

“Miracolous: Ladybug & Cat Noir – The Movie” will be played in more than 100 markets globally, after “Miraculous” became a global family pop culture phenomenon in more than 130 countries over the last couple of years as a series. The global awareness is impressive with more than 33 billion views on YouTube and number one TV-rankings in many countries. The upcoming very first movie will be playing in theaters around the globe starting as of July 5th, 2023, and on streaming platform Netflix – starting as of July 28th 2023.

Heroes go electric in ID driver seats

In this block buster fully, electric vehicles will be integrated in a meaningful way into the storyline. The cars of the ID family are being redesigned to fit the movie look and feel, in close collaboration of designers, both at movie animation and Volkswagen as well as the respective Marketing team around Gilbert Heise and Salim Yueksel. Two city cars with a futuristic look will be attributed to the main heroes: Cat Noir with the ID.4 and Ladybug - a modern character who stands for female empowerment - with a concept car electric Beetle. The luxury ID. Vizzon will be associated to the successful stylist Gabriel Agreste, and the iconic Volkswagen ID. Buzz will be Tom’s bakery delivery vehicle.

Emotional storytelling important for shaping the love brand

Volkswagen is synonymous with being tongue-in-cheek and using humor in its consumer communication. At the same time, advertising, and marketing as well as customer behavior arechanging rapidly. The current collaboration is an important element of the realignment of the brand and marketing activities and the latest in several similar partnerships. Volkswagen had successfully launched other joint projects in recent months with Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania”, and the Disney+ limited Star Wars seriesObi-Wan-Kenobi, Andor and “Mandalorian.

Further push for emotionalizing e-mobility in a broad family audience

Volkswagen has taken the lead in the transformation toward electric mobility and has prepared the way for this as early as 2016 with a clear commitment to the Paris climate goals. The company plans to become climate-neutral by 2050. Volkswagen will be launching ten new all electric models until 2026 – including the already presented ID.3, ID.7 and ID. Buzz. Having animated action heroes going for electric mobility in the movie is fully in line both with Miraculous universe values of ecology and sustainability and with Volkswagen’s “Way to zero”. Nelly Kennedy: “This collaboration will strongly support our efforts to emotionalize the brand and our ID family even more. It offers Volkswagen the opportunity to introduce the ID. family in a very likeable way to a broad family audience.

Two strong brands with common values

"From the very beginning of the incredible adventure of the film, the collaboration with Volkswagen appeared to us as a natural fit. Our two brands have many values in common. Transmitting the values of a better world is also our responsibility as producers," stated Aton Soumache and Emmanuel Jacomet, producers of the film. "With my creative team, I had a lot of fun adapting the iconic vehicles of the Volkswagen brand to the world of Miraculous and to integrate them seamlessly into the film and the Parisian settings. Ladybug and Cat Noir represent the new generation, and the vehicles in the film embody that modernity. For me, it is crucial to convey an essential message: taking care of our environment to live in a better world tomorrow," adds Jérémy Zag, director of the movie.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The ID.7 is the first electric model from Volkswagen for the upper mid-sized class. With a range of up to 700 kilometres (WLTP), the Volkswagen limousine is an efficiency champion. In addition to a new drive generation, sophisticated aerodynamics contribute to the ID.7’s long ranges. The aerodynamically favourable basic form, low drag coefficient (Cd value) of 0.23 and frontal area of 2.46 m² are the result of close cooperation between the Design and Development departments.

With limousines like the ID.7, the body shape accounts for about 50 per cent of the Cd value. The wheels and tyres influence about 30 per cent, the underfloor 10 per cent, and the functional openings through which air flows to the radiators in the vehicle front end, for example, also 10 per cent. The fact that the new ID.7 is the most aerodynamic ID. model so far can be seen at first glance when looking at the silhouette of the vehicle, which is almost five metres long. Volkswagen designer Daniel Scharfschwerdt says: “When designing the ID.7, there was a greater focus on aerodynamics than for practically any other model. This can be seen in the low front end, the flowing transition into the bonnet, and the fast windscreen. The coupé-like roof form and the tapering rear end are also designed for ideal aerodynamic performance.”

Even in the early stages of product development, intensive work was carried out on the exterior design, as well as on the underbody, wheels and other fine details. The prerequisite for optimal results is close collaboration between developers and designers. Stephan Lansmann, project engineer responsible for ID.7 aerodynamics: “We strive for ideal solutions in an iterative process, which includes regular consultation between the Development and Design departments. There are many small steps here that pay off in the end. Numerous computer simulations for flow calculation are complemented by tests in a wind tunnel as part of this process.”

The aerodynamic strengths of the ID.7

The ID.7 has an almost completely closed underbody. This is supplemented by newly developed wheel spoilers on the front wheels. These guide the air along the wheels under the vehicle with minimum turbulence. Air curtains at the sides of the front bumper direct the air around the vehicles front end with minimum loss. The flared side sills prevent the air from flowing into the underbody area and shield the rear tyres from air flowing onto them. In addition, small spoilers and trim panels guide the flow of air on the underbody.

“On electric vehicles, the wheels make a greater contribution to good aerodynamics, and we therefore focused on them in particular,” says Lansmann. “When designing the wheel rims, the primary focus was on the aerodynamics, which we also had to match to the cooling requirements of the brakes,” explains the expert. “The resultant wheel rims are more closed and therefore have especially good aerodynamic properties.” Flow simulations were also used when designing the tyre contours. This meant it was already possible to optimise variants with less good aerodynamic characteristics during the concept phase.

Other areas were also taken into account in the holistic aerodynamic development process. These include the functional openings at the front, for example, through which air flows to the radiators in the vehicle front end. In the ID.7, the air flow is actively controlled by a radiator roller blind in order to reduce the drag. The electrically operated roller blind opens only when targeted cooling of the power units and battery is required. At the rear, aerodynamic efficiency is ensured by the ideally shaped tailgate and the design of the diffuser and side separation edges.

From computer to wind tunnel

The initial focus is on computer simulations. “Work only takes place virtually in the first year of development, with updates about every two weeks,” says Lansmann. The design team supplies CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. Several thousand processors then calculate the air flow values, also for numerous details like the flush-recessed door handles and the aerodynamically designed mirrors of the ID.7. “We go into the wind tunnel only when the design is stable. That can take a good one and a half years from the start of development,” says the development engineer.

The team used Volkswagen clay models in the original size of the ID.7 in the wind tunnel. The new findings are implemented on the model using a milling cutter with millimetre precision – for example, in the event of changes to the rear and to the separation edges. With the help of the prototype parts from the 3D printer, Stephan Lansmann’s team tested numerous variants – also for the aerodynamically shaped exterior mirrors, for example. On the ID.7, this process allowed them to optimise the upper and lower mirror housing sections and mirror base to achieve a lower drag coefficient with outstanding aerodynamic properties. The result of this detailed work is a Cd value of 0.23, the best drag coefficient of the entire Volkswagen ID. family.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Volkswagen is upgrading the third generation of the Touareg with extensive improvements: the suspension as well as the display and operating concept of the full-size SUV have been revised, and the front and rear design have been sharpened. Particularly striking features are the newly developed HD matrix headlights at the front and the LED taillights, which are realised as a light strip. For the first time in Germany it incorporates a red-illuminated Volkswagen logo. Presales will begin tomorrow on Thursday, 25 May. Prices start from €69,200.

Imelda Labbé, Member of the Volkswagen Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales: “The new Touareg impresses with top quality and outstanding comfort. We have once again systematically implemented the wishes of our customers in this model: We have sharpened up the design, integrated an illuminated rear logo, and made operation even more intuitive. We've also enhanced the driving characteristics, making our premium Volkswagen even better. The result is a true all-rounder that will excite on-road, off-road and naturally also as a first-class towing vehicle.”

Future-oriented technologies have always made their debut in the Touareg – know-how that often benefits the smaller vehicle classes. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen Board of Management for Development: “The Touareg has always been a technology pioneer for us, allowing us to transfer new developments into other brand models as part of a top-down strategy. And we are following the same approach with the new Touareg. It is the first Volkswagen model to be launched with the newly developed HD matrix headlights – one of the best lighting systems in the world. More than 38,000 interactive LEDs project a light carpet exactly onto the driving lane and illuminate the road more precisely than ever before. We will soon transfer this HD matrix lighting system to next smaller SUV-class models.”

The new lighting system. Another advantage of the new optional IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights is the glare-free main beam: this continuous main beam can permanently be left switched on outside of towns because the interactive LEDs make sure that the masking area for oncoming traffic and vehicles driving in front is more precise than ever before.

Sharpened design. The new premium SUV can be recognised immediately by the new front and rear design. At the front, the unit formed by the radiator grille, headlights and the front apron have been given a new look. The design of the rear end is also sharper: it now has a continuous horizontal LED strip for the taillight clusters and incorporates a Volkswagen logo which is illuminated in red. For the first time this feature has been included on a Volkswagen model in Germany. Previously, the illuminated brand logo was permitted only in markets such as China and the US.

All-in-one – maximum travel comfort & optimum performance. Volkswagen has enhanced the suspension of the Touareg. Among other things, the Touareg is now equipped as standard with a new roof load sensor that is closely integrated with the suspension electronics. If a roof load is detected, it allows the control system such as ESC (Electronic Stability Control) to intervene earlier in order to increase driving stability. In contrast, if there is no roof load, the system allows for even sportier performance. Depending on the version, the Touareg is available with innovative suspension technologies such as active roll compensation (adaptive running gear) and all-wheel steering. This further improves the driving dynamics of the premium SUV.

Update for the interior. The standard equipment of the new Touareg also includes the Innovision Cockpit. This consists of the Digital Cockpit and the high-end infotainment system Discover Pro Max. Various functions of the Innovision Cockpit, such as lane-level navigation and high-resolution HD map data, have been optimised in the new model. The standard voice control has also been enhanced. USB-C connections with a charging capacity of 45 watts (previously 15 watts) permit significantly faster charging of electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets or laptops. In addition, by evaluating customer feedback, the high-quality level of the Touareg interior has been further improved. For example, the centre console trims are now softer than before, providing extra comfort.

Efficient driving assistance systems. The Touareg is equipped with a large number of convenience and assistance systems as standard. In addition, an extensive range of optional systems is available. These include among others the following technologies

• “Travel Assist”(assisted driving up to maximum speed)
• “Park Assist Plus with remote control” (via app for automatically driving into and out of parking spaces, the driver can even control the parking procedure from outside the vehicle),
• “Trailer Assist”(for assisted manoeuvring with trailer)
• “Night Vision” (assistance for night drives)

Wide choice of powertrains – as petrol, diesel, or plug-in hybrid. The new Touareg will be launched in five powertrain versions. In addition to a turbocharged petrol engine, there is a choice of two turbodiesel engines and two plug-in hybrids. All highly efficient engines are paired as standard with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and the 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive.

Equipment. The new model will be launched in Germany in a basic version with the current front design (from €69,200) and in the two exclusive lines “Elegance” (from €75,070) and “R-Line” (from €79,660). Positioned above is the top-of-the-range model: the sporty, elegant Touareg R eHybrid developed by Volkswagen R (from €93,870).

The Touareg R eHybrid – the performance model from Volkswagen R. The Touareg R eHybrid is the top-of-the-range model of the product line with the most powerful drive system: a V6 petrol engine plus electric motor with a system output of 340 kW (462 PS). The latest generation continues a long tradition of Touareg R models with high-tech features and customised equipment. They were all developed by Volkswagen R, Volkswagen’s premium performance brand. The standard equipment of the new model includes the following:

• Blue painted brake calipers with silver R logo
• R logo projection via exterior mirror housings as surround lighting
• Blue accents in the interior
• Leather seats in “Vienna” design (“Puglia” optional)
• 20-inch alloy wheels “Braga”
• Sill panel mouldings with illuminated R logo
• Vehicle key with leather-covered cap and R logo
• Panoramic sunroof
• 4-zone automatic air control

In addition to the traditional R colour “Lapiz Blue Metallic”, a matt paint finish, the new “Silicon Gray Matt", can now also be ordered exclusively for the Touareg R eHybrid and the Touareg R-Line. Pre-sales of the performance model will start on 22 June.

The success story of the popular premium SUV. In 2002, the Touareg was the first SUV from Volkswagen. With the impetus of the new top model, the Volkswagen brand subsequently developed into one of the leading global full-range providers. The Touareg also became the pioneer of an extremely successful vehicle type that is today offered by Volkswagen in every segment. With its high-quality blend of long-distance, towing and off-road vehicle, the model remains hugely popular. More than 1.13 million units have been sold since the Touareg was first introduced in 2002.

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com