在緊湊型SUV剛成為市場新寵的那段時間里，2007版大眾途觀由于價格高、耗油大，因而未能取得轟動性的銷售成績。但投產后，它在全世界共售出264萬輛，這一成績為2015年法蘭克福車展上亮相的下一代途觀打下了堅實的基礎。
大眾對舊途觀的缺點進行了徹底修正，選擇高爾夫和其他緊湊車型的模塊化橫向矩陣（MQB）平臺打造新版途觀的基底，這一平臺產量更高，成本更低。而用該平臺制作的新途觀車身更長更寬，底盤也更低，比其前身更像一輛轎車。
為了展現這輛跨界SUV的寬廣用途，新途觀將推出公路、非公路和名為途觀GTE的油電混合版三種配置。
盡管新途觀的載貨容量提升了10%，達到18.4立方英尺（521升），但重量比舊版還要輕110 kg（243 磅）。車身總長增加了2.4英寸（61 mm），達到了176.6英寸（4486 mm），總寬度增加了1.2英寸（31 mm），達到了72.4英寸（1839 mm）。高度降低1.3英寸（33 mm），目前為64.3英寸（1633 mm）。除了降低車頂外，新途觀的空氣動力學還有一些其他改進，如利用風洞試驗設計的側視鏡等。這些改進使整車阻力系數降低了40%，達到目前的0.31。
途觀總共將在全球推出8款發動機，它們全都具備渦輪增壓、直噴技術、自動啟停、電池能量再生等標準配置。這些發動機中有一半是汽油機，一半是柴油機。汽油發動機中最高配置為220馬力（164 kW）2.0L四缸發動機，而最強大的柴油發動機則是一臺雙渦輪240馬力（179 kW）2.0L四缸發動機?？傮w上看，新版發動機的效率比符合Euro-5級別要求的舊版發動機高出24%，比目前取得Euro-6認證的一些發動機高10%。
一些發動機搭載了標準驅動系統，而另一些則可選擇4Motion全輪驅動系統。全新的主動控制（Active Control）開關，可以讓駕駛員根據實際的駕駛情況（如公路、非公路、降雪天氣等）選擇操作參數。
在普通的公路駕駛過程中，途觀的Haldex耦合裝置可以松開后輪與發動機的連接，實現效率最大化。
降低成本和提高效率是新途觀最重要的改進內容，除此之外，大眾還將重要的電子安全輔助系統提升為標準配置，使途觀對年輕家庭更具吸引力。
這一系統中包括一個自動的碰撞后制動系統，和一個預測并防范碰撞的前方雷達系統。這兩個系統都將是新途觀所有車型的標準配置。如果雷達探測到前方有人，而且駕駛員沒有采取行動，那么該系統就會發出警報。此外自動車道保持系統也將是所有車型的標準配置。
新途觀的安全防撞系統還將行人納入考量。當車輛撞上行人的時候，發動機蓋將自動打開，使發動機蓋的鈑金部件與下方的發動機之間可以騰出更多空間。
盡管新途觀2016年就要上市，但大眾并未就同樣在法蘭克福車展上推出的油電混合版披露詳細的信息。這輛車的驅動系統為一臺115 kW（154馬力）渦輪增壓汽油四缸發動機和一臺最大輸出功率為160 kW的電機，搭配6速雙離合變速箱。
13 kW·h的鋰離子電池組讓途觀GTE的純電動里程達到31英里（50 公里），電動模式下最高速度為130 km/h（81mph）。汽油發動機搭配電機后，最高時速可達200km/h（124mph），而百公里加速（0-62mph）時間為8.1秒。
此外，大眾還在研究，未來是否能在車頂裝配太陽能電池板，可以在沒有額外花費的情況下收集可觀的能量。盡管太陽能電池板不能在短時間內完全取代蓄電池，但對低緯度地區的用戶來說，它一年內吸收的能量也足以支持1000 公里（621英里）的駕駛里程，而高緯度地區的用戶則可在太陽能的支持下多行駛500 公里（310英里）。
當然，即便是少量的免費能源，也有助于改變公眾對途觀的高油耗印象。
作者：Dan Carney
來源：SAE《汽車工程雜志》
翻譯：SAE 上海辦公室
Volkswagen re-engineers Tiguan
Volkswagen’s original Tiguan compact SUV of 2007 was too expensive and too thirsty to achieve blockbuster sales during the segment’s emergence as a key source of sales. But it achieved worldwide sales of 2.64 million during its production run, providing a strong foundation for the next-generation version, introduced at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The company has aggressively addressed the original Tiguan’s shortcomings, building the new generation version on its high-volume, low-cost modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform used for the Golf and other compact models. This has produced a vehicle that is longer, lower, wider, and more car-like than its predecessor.
Illustrating the anticipated range of uses for a crossover SUV, the Tiguan debuted in both on-road and off-road-centric configurations along with a hybrid-electric concept of a future efficiency-focused Tiguan GTE model.
While the Tiguan’s cargo capacity has increased 10% to 18.4 ft³ (521 L), the vehicle is 110 lb (243 lb) lighter than before. Overall length is up 2.4 in (61 mm) to 176.6 in (4486 mm) and width is increased 1.2 in (31 mm) to 72.4 in (1839 mm). Height is reduced by 1.3 in (33 mm) to 64.3 in (1633 mm). The lower roof combines with other aerodynamic improvements such as wind tunnel-designed side-view mirrors to slash drag by 40% to 0.31 coefficient of drag.
Worldwide, Tiguan features a suite of eight different engines, all of which include turbocharging, direct injection, automatic stop/start, and battery regeneration as standard equipment. Half the engines are gasoline and half are diesel, with the gasoline family topping out with a 220-hp (164-kW) 2.0-L four cylinder and the diesel family headed by a twin-turbo 240-hp (179-kW) 2.0-L four. Overall, the engine families are 24% more efficient than those on the previous model, which were Euro-5 compliant and 10% more efficient than those that were Euro-6 certified.
The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is optional with some engines and standard with others. Its new Active Control switch lets drivers set the parameters of its operation according to the conditions; on-road, off-road, and snow.
In normal on-road driving the Tiguan’s Haldex coupling disconnects the rear wheels from the engine for maximum efficiency.
While cost containment and improved efficiency were critical upgrades to the Tiguan, Volkswagen has made important electronic safety aid systems standard equipment, making the Tiguan even more appealing to young families.
That means an automatic post-collision braking system and a forward radar system that watches for potential collisions and acts to prevent them. Both are standard on all new Tiguans. If the radar spots a person in the road ahead, it issues an alert followed by automatic braking if the driver doesn’t act. Automatic lane-keeping assist that steers the Tiguan back into its lane is also standard.
Tiguan’s crash-safety extends to pedestrians, with the use of a pyrotechnic hood release that pops the hood open in the event the car strikes a person, providing additional crush space between the sheetmetal and the engine beneath.
While the new Tiguan goes on sale in 2016, the company is less specific about plans for the hybrid-electric concept version also shown at Frankfurt. Its internal combustion engine is a 115-kW (154-hp) turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder, which combines with an electric motor for a maximum system output of 160 kW. They drive the vehicle through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The 13 kW·h lithium-ion battery pack can propel the Tiguan GTE concept 31 mi (50 km) on electric power alone, with an electric top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph). Using the electric motor to boost the gasoline engine’s performance produces an available top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) and 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration of 8.1 s.
VW also imagines the possibility of a roof-mounted solar panel that can, over extended periods of time, provide a worthwhile amount of free energy. Though a solar panel cannot quickly top off a discharged battery pack, it can soak up enough energy in a year to provide 1000 km (621 mi) of free driving energy for customers in southern latitudes, while northern drivers might see a free 500 km (310 mi) of energy from the sun.
Certainly even a small amount of free driving energy helps shift the Tiguan’s perception as fuel-thirsty for its size.
Author: Dan Carney
Source: SAE Automotive Engineering Magazine
前視雷達是新途觀的標準配置，如果探測到車輛前方出現行人，車輛將自動停下。
油電混合版途觀GTE概念車在后座底板下安裝了鋰離子電池組，以輔助前部的1.4 L汽油發動機。