Volkswagen shares a shadowy image, on which a new SUV shines in the eye. It is probably a model that we already know.
The American branch of Volkswagen asks interested parties to circle October 13 in red, because then there is big news. Then they pull the curtain off a new SUV that will operate ‘under the Tiguan’. Not here with us, but at least in North America and probably also in Central and South America. Although Volkswagen barely releases any information, except that the newcomer is ‘the latest addition to the Volkswagen family’ and that ‘good things sometimes come in small format’, we already have an inkling of what car we are dealing with here. It is probably a modified and refreshed version of the Tharu for America (photos 2 to 5).
The Volkswagen Tharu
The Argentinian website already knew about a year and a half ago Autoblog.com.ar intercept a Volkswagen product presentation. It showed that the brand wants to sell the Tharu (for the Chinese and Russian market) in more corners of the world. In North, Central and South America, the car would then listen to the name Tarek. You bet that in this new teaser photo we see that Tarek. In terms of appearance, it already fits well in the US, since it has quite a few Atlas features, especially in the front. The rest of the body is very similar to that of the Seat Ateca. The wheelbase of the Tharu as it is sold in countries such as China, is 2.68 meters while the entire car is 4.45 meters long. This means that it falls not only in terms of positioning among the Tiguan, which is only sold in 4.71 meter long form (Allspace) in the United States, but also in terms of dimensions.
Nevertheless, the Tharu will be taken care of in several respects. For example, the teaser betrays LED lighting that extends into the grille (the Tharu does not have that) and in the interior and under the skin we also expect the necessary changes. After all, the Tharu was developed by the Chinese joint venture SAIC-Volkswagen and although they also build the Atlas (sold there as Teramont), it is somewhat different from the American Atlas in terms of engines and some other details. The ‘Tarek’ for North and Central America will probably leave the production line in Mexico, for the South American market Argentina is the most likely candidate. We will know more in a month!