Volkswagen is working on a compact SUV that will be placed in the range under the Tiguan. Together with a new teaser image, the brand announces its name: Taos.
Volkswagen currently offers the Atlas and Tiguan in North America. Two SUVs of which we can only buy the second here. Of course we still have the T-Roc and T-Cross in the range below the Tiguan, but in the US the Tiguan is still the smallest high-legged VW for the time being. This will change with the arrival of the Taos. “What’s smaller than a Tiguan and starts with a T? Taos,” said the US arm of the brand.
The attached teaser photo shows part of the nose and our previous suspicion is further confirmed: it seems to be a variant of the already well-known Tharu that is aimed at the American market (photos 3 to 6). Volkswagen is already selling this car in China and Russia, among others, and according to a previously intercepted production schedule, it is also being prepared for the North, Central and South American markets. So now we know that it listens to the name Taos in the US. Volkswagen pulls the curtain off on October 13.
Although the Taos is probably not unknown, the model started as Tharu will probably have been thoroughly overhauled before Volkswagen presses the Taos badge on it. The earlier teaser (photo 2) already betrayed that the LED lighting on the Taos continues through the grille and you can count on it that the interior and the technology will also get a makeover. 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. Incidentally, the Taos, like the American Atlas, will probably not roll off the production line in China. Mexico is the biggest contender for production.