104 December 2016 www.bahrainthismonth.com motoring CHARLIE HOLDING Inspired by the wild, metaphorical combination of a tiger and an iguana, this compact SUV is suited for the urban environment as well as rough terrain. Volkswagen’s new Tiguan may sound like a mythical creature more at home in the pages of a fairytale than on the open road, but, I assure you, this model is as real as they come. Built to impress and with a strong focus on technology – this SUV more than lives up to the marque’s slogan ‘the people’s car’. It’s clear as soon as you climb inside that the Tiguan was built with the driver and passengers in mind. Following an impressive revamp, it looks sleeker than ever – both inside and out. The body is sharper, better streamlined and more aerodynamic than its predecessor, no small feat. The interior of the fully-loaded model I drove was not only surprisingly plush, it was also a good example of the company’s attention to detail. Everything is clearly laid out and easy to use and, as a bonus, the infotainment system not only looks great, it works well too. Some of the noteworthy features include the 12.3-inch Active Info display: an interactive, fully digital main instrumental panel and a Head-Up that shows your speed directly in your line of sight. I had great fun taking this model around town and was really impressed with the handling. It corners well and delivers a firm and responsive drive, which is hardly surprising when you take into account what’s under the bonnet. The Tiguan is available in five trim levels and engines range from a 1.4-litre that delivers 150bhp up to a 2.0-litre engine with 220bhp. These are paired with a six or seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Many modern compact SUVs are built to ‘talk the talk’ but very few of them ‘walk the walk’ when it comes to off-road capability. The Tiguan is an exception and feels perfectly at home off the beaten track. After enjoying a leisurely cruise along the Kingdom’s highways, I decided to put this model to the test in tougher terrain. Admittedly, I didn’t try to climb any mountains or drive through torrential rain, but I did take on many of Bahrain’s infamously pothole-ridden roads and dusty trails. Simply shift the driving mode to off-road and the vehicle becomes a whole new animal – you can really tell the difference! Speaking of driving modes, when I had a clear stretch of road I was able to try out the sport function. It was great fun as the revs were held higher for longer and the throttle response sharpened, resulting in a more dynamic and powerful ride. Perhaps my favourite feature was the automatic opening or closing of the boot by simply waving a foot underneath the tailgate. It’s perfect for loading or unloading your cargo without the hassle of fumbling around for your keys. In my opinion, this SUV would be ideal for a small family because it has plenty of space for passengers with enough room for shopping and luggage too. But don’t just take my word for it, book a test drive and experience it for yourself. Call 17 459-977. Compact and Cool! BEHBEHANI VOLKSWAGEN
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