SUV has taut proportions. The second generation of the Tiguan – which includes the show car being presented in Detroit – is, as mentioned, the first SUV from the Volkswagen Group to be based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). The Tiguan GTE Active Concept is 176.9 in / 4,494 mm long, 74.8 in / 1,899 mm wide and 69.5 in / 1,766 mm tall. Like all MQB vehicles, the concept car has a large wheelbase (105.5 in / 2,681 mm) and an especially good package. That is precisely why the five-seat Tiguan GTE Active Concept also offers tremendous space in the passenger compartment and the boot.
SUV with charisma. Painted in brilliant, shiny Dragon Red Metallic, the Tiguan GTE Active Concept makes it clear at first glance that it not only wants to play. The team of designers and engineers who were responsible for the concept car developed an entirely new set of all-terrain features customized for the downtown areas of large cities. These features are both durable and tailored to the demands of globetrotters. The classic off-road parameters of the body show this. Sporting an off-road front end, they were all further improved compared to the already excellent production version of the Tiguan. For instance, ground clearance under the axles was increased from 7.1 in / 180 mm to 8.9 in / 225 mm, and the maximum ground clearance under the car was increased from 7.9 in / 200 mm to 9.6 in / 245 mm. The approach and departure angles were improved as well: from 25.6 to 26.1 degrees in front and from 24.7 to 29.9 degrees at the rear. The maximum ramp angle for overcoming road bumps grew from 20 to 24.7 degrees.
Front end has underbody guard. The production version of the new Tiguan – which was shown in autumn 2015 at the International Automobile Exhibition (IAA) in Frankfurt – already showed an authentic SUV design and a charismatic front end. This pure and precise alignment is reinforced by the all-terrain features of the concept car. Viewed from bottom to top, first there is the underbody guard whose design and construction make it clear that the Tiguan GTE Active Concept was also designed for excursions off the paved trails. The underbody guard, in matte aluminum, is equipped with four solid black polymer protectors which, first, protect against contact with stones and bushes and, second, can be easily replaced after an extreme trip through the outback. The front bumper is also trimmed with an all-terrain element made of durable polymer in the new color "Dark Graphite" (a matte anthracite-gray). On the exterior, this element is bordered by a distinctively designed frame, which integrates the c-shaped LED daytime running lights that are typical of the Volkswagen plug-in hybrid and electric models. The framed lower air intake is produced from a polymer that is just as rugged. If the Tiguan GTE Active Concept is needed to pull another off-road vehicle in reverse from the muck, there are two aluminum-colored metal hooks in the air intakes on the left and right sides of the front end. The headlights are designed entirely in all-LED technology. Sophisticated: elements finished in "Dark Chrome Glossy" on the three crossbars of the radiator grille; the upper and lower bars are each continued up to the headlights. In this way, the headlights and radiator grille form a single, wide and powerful unit.
Roof section has auxiliary LED spotlights. Also equipped with a dark all-terrain module is the roof section; the screw-mounted top is made of fine aluminum. Integrated here are high-strength cross-rails that can serve as a base support for skis or other equipment items. They too are made of aluminum, but they are the color of the metal, which contrasts with the black roof. At the front, the roof also has two flat LED auxiliary spotlights, which – like the cargo cross-rails – are framed in matte aluminum.
Side profile with aluminum side sills. On the sides, the interplay of the all-terrain body elements and the distinctively profiled off-road tires clearly identify the Tiguan GTE Active Concept as an off-road vehicle among SUVs. The 16-inch tires sized 245/70 offer optimal traction on slippery surfaces due to their off-road tread that extends into their sides. The rugged, sporty-looking alloy wheels have spokes and are finished in high-gloss black. The powerful design of the Tiguan GTE Active Concept gains even greater presence by its wheel well extensions in "Dark Graphite". Between the wheels, the door and side sill trim elements (also in "Dark Graphite") were specially developed for the concept car. These trim elements are protected by underbody guard elements made of matte aluminum toward the bottom. Fine side details: the caps of the exterior mirrors, which are finished in "Dark Chrome Glossy", match the trim elements at the front end; their color coordinates perfectly with the side window frames.
Underbody guard at the rear. Like the front and sides, the rear body of the Tiguan GTE Active Concept is also equipped with a solid underbody guard made of matte aluminum. Like the front end, four interchangeable polymer protectors are used here as well. The lower area of the bumper is protected by all-terrain trim that is also anthracite colored. So, these trim elements are found all around the car body. Above the trim, the outside of the bumper is also trimmed in anthracite-colored anodized trim strips. Last but not least, the SUV also has two solid aluminum-colored metal hooks for towing and freeing up other stuck vehicles or for removing tree branches that are blocking the trail.