A crossover model based on the Golf platform, the Tiguan will initially be imported with production of a 2.0 liter gasoline model beginning soon after at Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co., the sources say.

 

According to VW spokesman Rudolf Dreithaler, the Tiguan is now available in Europe with four sizes of turbo stratified injection (TSI) engine ranging from 1.4L to 2.0L. A turbocharged direct injection (TDI) common rail diesel model is also available with a 2.0L engine.

 

Dreithaler declined to give further information.

 

The Tiguan's main competitor in China's compact SUV market will be the Honda CRV, which sold 40,046 units in the first five months of this year and accounts for 30 percent of the SUV market.

 

"SUV is a growing segment in China so everyone wants to release a mainstream car based SUV," says Yale Zhang, China director of analyst group CSM Worldwide. 

 

Zhang added that he believes the new VW model will be successful in China.

 

"This vehicle can easily sell between 50-70,000 vehicles every year here," says Zhang. "People are really looking forward to it."