Current generation Tayron has been on-sale in China since 2018. Image: motor1.com.
A report first mentioned almost three years ago about Volkswagen possibly introducing the Chinese-market only Tayron to other markets, has once again flared up as Wolfsburg finalises testing of the all-new Tiguan.
Introduced to the People’s Republic five years ago, the Tayron is the result of a joint venture between Volkswagen and First Automotive Works (FAW), and while it rides on the same MQB platform as the Tiguan and Audi Q3, the overall length is greater as a result of rear legroom and space being key fundamentals for the Chinese market.
Reportedly, the latest claim of the Tayron no longer being exclusive to China involves it replacing the Tiguan Allspace that is seemingly unlikely to be renewed for a second generation once the mentioned new Tiguan premieres either later this year or in 2024.
In 2020, Automotive News Europe claimed that the position occupied by the Allspace, namely between the standard five-seat Tiguan and the Touareg in Europe, will fall to the Tayron and therefore lead to the former being discontinued in order to avoid a potential product overlap.
According to the most recent report from Autocar India on the back of the Shanghai Auto Show last month, the Tayron will be longer than the new Tiguan, have up to seven-seats, completely different styling and more than likely an electrified powertrain of sorts.
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Besides production taking place in Germany, the Indian publication claims the Tayron will become a world model, thus making it eligible for right-hand-drive markets such as India, the UK, Australia and of course, South Africa.
In China, the Tayron, as well as its coupe-styled Tayron X sibling, are motivated by a choice of two TSI engines; the familiar 1.4 TSI that makes 110 kW in models badged 280 TSI, and 118 kW in derivatives carrying the 300 TSI script.
The final option is the 2.0 TSI that also comes in two states of tune; 137 kW in 330 TSI models and 162 kW in 380 TSI derivatives.
While all Tayron models have access to a seven-speed DSG as the sole transmission option, only the 330 TSI and 380 TSI’s can be specified with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, which comes as standard on the latter.
For now, it remains unknown as to when or if Volkswagen South Africa will indeed consider the Tayron for the local market, but if indeed so, and in accordance with Autocar India’s claims, expect announcements only by late 2024 or even 2025 when sales are anticipated to kick off.
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