VW Taos 1.5 T SEL 4motion
Wild West T-Roc
VW Taos 1.5 T SEL 4motion
© press-inform – the press office
The VW T-Roc, which is so successful in Europe, is not offered at all in the USA. Instead, in the land of unlimited automotive possibilities, there is the compact SUV called Taos and it would probably also find its fans in the old world on this side of the Atlantic.
Because first of all, the VW Taos looks really good. Short overhangs, a 2.68 meter long wheelbase and, for the USA, a manageable length of just 4.47 meters, enough space for four or even five people if necessary. In addition, the design with a pithy front and clear elements for light or air between New York and San Diego is always suitable for the masses. But the Taos should not only attract its US fans with its design, but also with a solid drive and the low price, because the segment is dominated by crossovers from Asia. The new SUV has no direct predecessor at Volkswagen, because the $ 20,000 league was served for a long time with the first generation of the Tiguan. Built by Karmann in Osnabrück, the original Tiguan was in the range alongside the current model for a long time at prices of just under 20,000 dollars – because the necessary entry-level model was not available in the USA.
This is now the VW Taos and Subaru, Toyota, Jeep, Honda, Hyundai or Kia should be a serious competitor. It starts with the front-wheel drive Taos S for just under $ 23,000, while the more popular all-wheel drive version starts at just over $ 25,000. The top model is the 1.5 T SEL 4motion, which is mandatory with all-wheel drive, dual clutch transmission and the corresponding comfort equipment, but then costs 33,000 dollars and thus poaches one or two US classes over it. Inside there is well-known technology, good workmanship, animated instruments and a central eight-inch screen with navigation function. As is typical for the USA, the seats are not only heated, but also cooled and electrically adjustable.
There are also several USB ports, LED headlights, an adaptive cruise control and stately 19-inch models that go well with the already confident appearance of the VW Taos. With a volume of 705 to 1,700 liters, the load space behind the electric tailgate is impressive. The electromechanical power assistance is very smooth, but gives a surprising amount of feedback from the road, especially for a US model. Especially in connection with the large 19-inch models, the American is very sporty in this class and more compact than many of its competitors from Korea, Japan or the USA.
A turbocharged four-cylinder, which otherwise does its work in the US model of the Jetta, provides the drive. The EA 211 engine has an output of 116 kW / 158 hp and a maximum torque of 250 Nm at 1,750 rpm, with which the small four-wheel drive is extremely fast. Despite the slightly larger displacement and the higher output compared to the EA211 in the Jetta, the engine is more economical in consumption. It works in the efficient Miller cycle, in which the intake valves are closed early in the intake stroke to reduce fuel consumption. For an engine with a turbocharger, it has a very high compression ratio of up to 11.5: 1. Volkswagen promises a standard consumption of 28 mpg – the equivalent of 8.4 liters of super per 100 kilometers.
While the front-wheel drive has an eight-speed automatic converter, the all-wheel drive has the well-known seven-stage dual-clutch transmission, which does its job in the background, discreetly as usual. The individually controllable driving programs are hardly noticeable in everyday propulsion. The individual programs are slightly confusing, because there are not only the Sport, Normal, Comfort and Individual driving modes, but also the all-wheel drive levels Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad. During a relaxed journey, only the front wheels are driven and the rear wheels are decoupled to save fuel. However, if required, the rear wheels can be switched on in fractions of a second via the center differential, which is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump. A control unit calculates the ideal drive torque for the rear wheels and controls how strongly the multi-plate clutch should be closed by activating the oil pump. The oil pressure increases the contact pressure on the clutch disks in proportion to the desired torque on the rear axle. The torque between the front and rear wheel can be varied continuously via the contact pressure on the clutch disks. A maximum of up to 50 percent of the engine power can reach the rear. Let’s see if US customers give the VW Taos a chance – currently it is probably one of the best vehicles in the segment that Americans are increasingly loving.