Remember when Nissan added a stretched version of the Dualis and called it the Dualis +2 — because it seated seven people?
Well, Volkswagen has just done the same thing with the Tiguan, to create its very first seven-seater here (if you don’t count the Kombi) — and it’s called the Tiguan Allspace.
Building on the award winning Tiguan, the Tiguan Allspace is fully featured.
Volkswagen Australia boss Michael Bartsch describes the new variant as a “style” statement.
He said it is more than just a utilitarian choice for families who need the occasional use of third row seating.
“It is a premium SUV that is priced well below the luxury car tax threshold,” he said.
Designed in parallel with its smaller sibling, the Allspace is distinguished by a wider rear door, raised bonnet above the radiator grille and a unique side window design that rises above the rear pillar.
In terms of size, it’s 215mm longer, at 4701mm, with an additional 106mm more rear overhang, which allows for the addition of two seats in the third row and, most impressively, a boot of 230 litres with the seats up.
It also sits on a longer wheelbase, with an extra 109mm.
The Tiguan Allspace is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, and feature-packed equipment grades.
The range begins with the Comfortline grade, which will be available with either 110kW/250Nm turbocharged petrol engine with a 6-speed DSG and front-wheel drive, 132kW/320Nm turbocharged petrol engine with a 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive, or 110kW/340Nm turbocharged diesel engine with a 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive.
Moving up to the Highline grade, the Tiguan Allspace ups the ante with two sporty engines – the Golf GTI-derived 162kW/350Nm turbocharged petrol engine with 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION, and the 140kW/400Nm turbo diesel mated to a 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION AWD.
Prices strat from $40,490 before on-road costs.
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