Sponsored Feature: Cracking the code – VW Taigun
The Volkswagen Taigun is a product that is perfectly suited to the needs of modern Indian customers. We try to decipher the secrets that make it so special. So, here's a look at some of its key highlights.
By Team autoX
The Volkswagen Taigun is a product that is perfectly suited to the needs of modern Indian customers. We try to decipher the secrets that make the Taigun so special.
Developing a product to suit the varied tastes of millions of Indian customers can be a rather demanding task. Given that the tastes and preferences of customers change from state to state, region to region, developing a product to cater to them all and getting it right is no small feat – in fact, it’s near impossible. But, after driving the new Taigun extensively for the past couple of weeks, we are convinced that Volkswagen has successfully cracked the secret code of the Indian market after studying it extensively over the past decade.
Styling it right
Perhaps the most important aspect of a car – and this also holds for the international market – is its design. Get the design right and, more importantly, make the car stand out for the right reasons, and you have already met half the challenge. Well, the idea is simple – the more people notice your product, the more likely it is that the product is going to remain in the consideration set of customers.
The handsome design of the Taigun nails this aspect perfectly. Right from the bold front, with a big air dam, to the tasteful use of chrome, the Taigun proudly exhibits the influence of its bigger siblings, like the Tiguan and the Atlas, and can be instantly recognised as a true Volkswagen. The highlight of the design is the full-width taillamp, which really enhances the appeal of the rear end of the car, giving it a unique look. The gloss black surround of the taillamp ensures that it won’t go unnoticed on the road. What further helps here is the great colour palette that VW offers with the Taigun – the Curcuma Yellow and Wild Cherry Red are, perhaps, the most interesting choices.
Depending on the variant, the interior of the car features a unique body colour theme – parts of the dash and the doors sport the body colour, adding to the overall liveliness of the interior. Overall, this aspect of the design has been executed brilliantly. Pair all this with the beautifully finished and exceedingly comfortable seats and the cutting-edge digital instrument cluster, and you have an interior that’s not just high-tech but also a very nice place to spend time in.
Dynamic powerhouse
Now, one of the appeals of VW products is the brilliant driving experience they offer. And, expectedly, here, the Taigun doesn’t disappoint, and even sets a new benchmark in the segment.
Underpinned by the MQB platform, known for its class-leading stiffness, the Taigun features an amazing suspension setup, which has been tuned perfectly for our roads. Whether you are on fast highways, curvy roads, or broken tarmac, you’ll find that the ride and handling balance of the Taigun is simply perfect. The 1.5-litre TSI engine, with its 148bhp and a flat torque curve, further enhances the performance and the driving appeal of the car.
What’s more, both the gearboxes on offer – a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic, both of which are simply the best in their respective segments – further add to the overall diving experience of the Taigun. Whether it’s the shift quality or the pedal placement in the manual version or the intuitiveness of the automatic gearbox, they both simply add a new dimension to the Taigun’s driving appeal. In fact, it is by far the most fun-to-drive SUV in the segment – and no, it’s not an overstatement.
Technological abundance
Given the ever-increasing pace of technological evolution and the way it has become an intimate aspect of our daily lives, it’s no surprise that modern cars need to be at the cutting-edge of connected tech. The Taigun does exactly this with its tech package, which includes not only Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto but also features such as a fully digital instrument cluster, ventilated seats, and wireless charging.
Now, Volkswagen’s concern for the safety of its products is globally renowned. No wonder, then, that the Taigun not only offers ABS and ESP as standard but also up to 6 airbags to ensure that customers feel safe inside.
While VW took its own sweet time to develop the Taigun, the effort that has gone into creating it certainly is evident in its wide range of abilities and segment-best quality levels. So, the excitement and anticipation surrounding it are certainly justified. And as Volkswagen gets ready to launch the Taigun in the Indian market, we think that it’d be fair to say that the wait for the Taigun has been worth it.
(Above & below): Premium features like a fully digital instrument cluster, DSG automatic gearbox and Manila alloy wheels indeed make the Taigun a segment-best offering.
Read more:
