Tiguan Tough: We join Volkswagen for...
Straight off an overnight flight to Africa, were handed the key to one of three production prototypes and pointed down a rugged trail in a vast game park close to the vibrant Namibian capital of Windhoek. Weve traveled to the former German colony, now a thriving tourist destination, to accompany a team of VW engineers at the end of a 24-month development program for the compact sport/ utility vehicle that is due to reach North American showrooms around this time next year. But before we even get a chance to acquaint ourselves properly with Wolfsburgs latest model, were suddenly dodging all sorts of obstacles as we put its off-road prowess to the test.
These are not the conditions for which the Tiguan was conceivedor is expected to excel. Yet despite its on-road bias, the baby brother to the more robust Touareg manages to make surprisingly good progress over the rocky terrain.
