Volkswagen Taos

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]

Volkswagen Taos/Tharu
2020 Volkswagen Tharu (China)
Overview
ManufacturerVolkswagen
Also calledVolkswagen Tharu (China)
Production2018–present (China)
2021 (Americas, to commence)
Model years2022– (North America)
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassCompact crossover SUV (C)
Body style5-door SUV
LayoutFront engine, front-wheel-drive
Front engine, all-wheel-drive
PlatformVolkswagen Group MQB A1
RelatedSEAT Ateca
Škoda Karoq
Jetta VS5
Powertrain
Engine
  • Petrol:
  • 1.2 L TSI 115 I4
  • 1.4 L TSI 150 I4
  • 1.5 L TSI 160 I4
  • 2.0 L TSI 190 I4
Transmission6-speed manual
6-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
7-speed DSG
Battery44.1 kWh (e-Tharu)
Electric range315–415 km (195.7–257.9 mi) (eTharu, NEDC)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,690 mm (105.9 in)
2,680 mm (105.5 in) (China)
Length4,465 mm (175.8 in)
4,453 mm (175.3 in) (China)
Width1,841 mm (72.5 in)
Height1,632–1,635 mm (64.3–64.4 in)

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 paying tribute to John Muir, who authored a repair book and manual dedicated to past Volkswagen models.[7][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 Volkswagen EA211 TSI engine family paired with a 6-speed 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, the Taos is available in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims.[13]

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)

2020 Volkswagen Tharu (rear view, China)

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. The vehicle is assembled in three locations, including in Western China in the city of Ürümqi.

It is offered with several powertrain options, including one electric version called the e-Tharu. The base model of the Tharu has a torsion axis, the higher versions have a multi link suspension.[20]

Volkswagen cooperated with the headphone manufacturer Beats Electronics to incorporate the Beats audio system to the vehicle.[18]

Powertrain
Petrol engines
Model Series Displacement Power Torque Transmission
1.2 TSI 1,197 cc I4 118 PS (87 kW; 116 hp) 200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG
1.4 TSI '280 TSI' EA211 1,395 cc I4 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) 250 N⋅m (184 lb⋅ft) 6-speed manual or 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
2020 146,926

References

  1. "Yizheng - VW". www.volkswagenag.com. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  2. "Ningbo - VW". www.volkswagenag.com. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  3. "Urumqi - VW". www.volkswagenag.com. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  4. "Volkswagen will build the Taos in Puebla". mexiconow.com. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  5. "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.
  6. 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.
  7. Connor Hoffmann (17 September 2020). "VW Taos is named for upcoming crossover below Tiguan". Car And Driver. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  8. Volkswagen's new compact SUV will wear 'Taos' name, CNET, 17 September 2020
  9. "The Volkswagen Taos, a big idea in small SUVs". VW of America Newsroom. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  10. "2022 Volkswagen Taos Revealed: New Compact SUV Takes The Golf's Place". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  11. "2022 Volkswagen Taos First Look: A Big New Small SUV". MotorTrend. 2020-10-13. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  12. 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.
  13. "Primer vistazo a precios y versiones de Nuevo Taos". volkswagen-mexico.prezly.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-11-06.
  14. "Volkswagen Taos: así es el SUV fabricado en Argentina". Parabrisas (in Spanish). 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  15. Autocosmos (2020-09-29). "Volkswagen Taos: Los secretos de su producción en Argentina". Autocosmos (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  16. "Novo Volkswagen Taos 2022: revelado o rival de Jeep Compass e Toyota Corolla Cross". Motor1.com (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  17. "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.
  18. "VW bringt den Tharu". China-auto.news. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  19. "Volkswagen". 1k.com.ua (in Russian). 31 October 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  20. Roland Hildebrandt (28 May 2018). "VW bringt den Tharu". de.motor1.com. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  21. "2022 Volkswagen Taos Goes Electric In China With e-Tharu". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
  22. "Volkswagen e-Tharu is a super cool electric crossover". Techzle. 2020-11-04. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
  23. "Volkswagen Tharu China auto sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 2019-01-03. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
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