Volkswagen Taos
| Volkswagen Taos | |
|---|---|
 2020 Volkswagen Tharu (China) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen |
| Also called | Volkswagen Tharu (China) |
| Production | 2018–present (China) 2021 (Americas, to commence) |
| Model years | 2022– (North America) |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact crossover SUV (C) |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel-drive Front engine, all-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group MQB A1 |
| Related | SEAT Ateca Škoda Karoq Jetta VS5 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.2 L I4 (petrol) 1.4 L I4 (petrol) 1.5 L I4 (petrol) 2.0 L I4 (petrol) |
| Transmission | 6/8-speed automatic 7-speed DSG |
| Battery | 44.1 kWh (e-Tharu) |
| Electric range | 315–415 km (195.7–257.9 mi) (e‑Tharu, NEDC) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm (105.9 in) 2,680 mm (105.5 in) (China) |
| Length | 4,465 mm (175.8 in) 4,453 mm (175.3 in) (China) |
| Width | 1,841 mm (72.5 in) |
| Height | 1,632–1,635 mm (64.3–64.4 in) |
The Volkswagen Taos is a compact crossover SUV produced by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. It was first released in October 2018 as the Volkswagen Tharu in China, while a restyled version of the Tharu emerged as the Taos in October 2020 for the North American and South American markets. The vehicle is positioned above the T-Cross, and below the long-wheelbase Tiguan, sharing the position with the T-Roc and the short-wheelbase Tiguan.[6]
Overview
The Taos/Tharu is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB A1, with its platform closely related and numerous sheet metal shared with the SEAT Ateca, Škoda Karoq and the Jetta VS5.[6] Formerly known as the 'Project Tarek', the Taos name sold in the Americas is named after a small town in New Mexico[7] paying tribute to John Muir, who authored a repair book and manual dedicated to past Volkswagen models.[8]
North America
In the North American market, the Taos was revealed in 13 October 2020 for the 2022 model year. It is the fifth new addition to the Volkswagen SUV family in the last four years.[9] The Mexican-built Taos slots directly below the Tiguan, which is solely available in a long-wheelbase guise in the market, while also acts as an indirect replacement to the discontinued Golf.[10] The positioning made the Taos being dubbed as a subcompact crossover SUV by journalists.[11]
The North American Taos is powered by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine known as the TSI Evo which packs 158 hp (160 PS; 118 kW) and 184 lb⋅ft (249 N⋅m; 25 kg⋅m) at 1,750 rpm borrowed from the Jetta. Front-wheel-drive models feature an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the 4Motion all-wheel drive is coupled with a 7-speed DSG transmission.
Volkswagen of America confirmed that its Digital Cockpit system is available on certain trims, replacing the physical instrument cluster dials with a reconfigurable 12.3-inch display. The Taos can function as a Wi-Fi hotspot and is available with a wireless charge pad. All but the base model will feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen and the latest MIB3 infotainment software. Volkswagen will sell the Taos in S, SE, and SEL trims.
The Taos for the Mexican market is powered by a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine from the Volkwagen EA211 TSI engine family paired with a 6-speed Tiptronic (automatic) transmission. The 1.4 TSI engine produces 150 hp (152 PS; 112 kW) and 25.5 kg⋅m (250 N⋅m; 184 lb⋅ft) of torque.[12] In Mexico for the MY 2021, the Taos is available in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims.[13]
For Mexico, all trim models will include 6 air bags, adaptive cruise control (ACC), blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, frontal collision assistance with emergency braking, rear parking camera, automatic headlight activation with photosensor and 'Coming Home & Leaving Home' system, "Push to start" engine activation button, tire pressure monitoring, wireless smartphone charger, and digital cockpit.
For Mexico, the Comfortline trim adds 18-inch aluminum wheels with a new design, 10-inch color touchscreen, Volkswagen Wire & Wireless App-connect for iOS, multi-function steering wheel covered in leatherette material, two-tone leatherette covered seats, electrically-operated driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, rear parking sensors, and front door sill protectors with chrome inserts.
For Mexico, the Highline trim includes features from the Trendline trim in addition to a center grille with an LED-lit lip, a panoramic sliding glass roof with height adjustment, two-tone seat upholstery partially covered in leather, interior ambient lighting with 10 colors including lighting strips on the front door, 2-zone Climatronic air conditioner, and an interior rear view mirror with automatic anti-glare feature.
The 2021MY Taos in Mexico is available in the following exterior colors: Metallics: Platinum Grey, Pure Grey, & Rojo Rey (King Red); Pearlescent: Deep Black; Solid: Cornflower Blue & Pure White.
South America
Introduced in 13 October 2020, the vehicle is also sold as the Taos with a identical styling to the North American Taos. For this market the vehicle is produced in General Pacheco plant in Argentina.[14][15] It occupies a segment between the T-Cross and Tiguan. Instead of the TSI Evo engine, the Argentinian-built Taos is powered by a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder TSI gasoline engine producing 150 hp (152 PS; 112 kW) and 25.5 kg⋅m (250 N⋅m; 184 lb⋅ft) which is sourced from the São Carlos engine plant in Brazil and supports flex fuel. The engine is coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission.[16]
China (Tharu)
The Tharu was presented as a near production model called the 'Powerful Family SUV' in March 2018.[17] Built by SAIC Volkswagen, the vehicle became available in China in late October 2018.[18][19] The name of the SUV is named after Tharu people, living in Nepal and Northern India.
Technology
Volkswagen cooperated for the production of the vehicle, with the headphone manufacturer Beats Electronics, so that the Beats audio system comes standard on the Tharu. Also, on the B-pillar, the logo of the headphone manufacturer can be seen.[18] The base model of the Tharu has a torsion axis, the higher versions have a multi link suspension.[20]
Powertrain
| Petrol engines | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Series | Displacement | Power | Torque | Transmission |
| 1.4 TSI '280 TSI' | EA211 | 1,395 cc I4 | 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) | 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) | 7-speed DSG |
| 2.0 TSI '330 TSI' 4Motion | EA888 | 1,984 cc I4 | 190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) | 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) | 7-speed DSG |
e-Tharu
The electric version of the Tharu was released in November 2020. It is equipped with electric motor that produces 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) and 290 N⋅m (214 lb⋅ft) of torque. The vehicle is powered by a 44.1-kWh battery pack rated at 315 km (196 mi) of range (NEDC). Driven at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37 mph), the e-Tharu is claimed to be able to travel 415 km (258 mi) between charges.[21][22]
Sales
| Year | China[23] |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 24,873 |
| 2019 | 138,235 |
References
- ^ "Yizheng - VW". www.volkswagenag.com. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ^ "Ningbo - VW". www.volkswagenag.com. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ^ "Urumqi - VW". www.volkswagenag.com. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ^ "Volkswagen will build the Taos in Puebla". mexiconow.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
- ^ "Primeras fotos oficiales de la VW Taos que se fabricará en Argentina: sólo faltan los emblemas". ARGENTINA AUTOBLOG (in Spanish). 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ a b Gerardo García (20 May 2019). "El Volkswagen Tarek se acerca: esto sabemos del hermano menor de Tiguan para México". motorpasion.com.mx (in Spanish). Motorpasión México. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ Connor Hoffmann (17 September 2020). "VW Taos is named for upcoming crossover below Tiguan". Car And Driver. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ Volkswagen's new compact SUV will wear 'Taos' name, CNET, 17 September 2020
- ^ "The Volkswagen Taos, a big idea in small SUVs". VW of America Newsroom. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "2022 Volkswagen Taos Revealed: New Compact SUV Takes The Golf's Place". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "2022 Volkswagen Taos First Look: A Big New Small SUV". MotorTrend. 2020-10-13. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ García, Gerardo (2020-10-13). "El Volkswagen Taos ya tiene fecha para México: estos podrían ser sus precios y rivales más difíciles". Motorpasión México (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-10-28.
- ^ "Primer vistazo a precios y versiones de Nuevo Taos". volkswagen-mexico.prezly.com (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2020-11-06.
- ^ "Volkswagen Taos: así es el SUV fabricado en Argentina". Parabrisas (in Spanish). 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ Autocosmos (2020-09-29). "Volkswagen Taos: Los secretos de su producción en Argentina". Autocosmos (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "Novo Volkswagen Taos 2022: revelado o rival de Jeep Compass e Toyota Corolla Cross". Motor1.com (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "Volkswagen Launches Two New SUVs In China And One Is Called The "Powerful Family SUV", No Kidding". CarNewsChina.com. 2018-03-26. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ^ a b "VW bringt den Tharu". China-auto.news. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- ^ "Volkswagen". 1k.com.ua (in Russian). 31 October 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- ^ Roland Hildebrandt (28 May 2018). "VW bringt den Tharu". de.motor1.com. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- ^ "2022 Volkswagen Taos Goes Electric In China With e-Tharu". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
- ^ "Volkswagen e-Tharu is a super cool electric crossover". Techzle. 2020-11-04. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
- ^ "Volkswagen Tharu China auto sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 2019-01-03. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
External links
- Official website (Mexico)
