NAR Region Press Release
- Taos slots under Tiguan in the Volkswagen lineup and is the second proof point of Volkswagen’s doubling-up strategy for SUVs
- 1.5-liter EA211 turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 158hp and 184 lb-ft of torque pairs with either 8-speed automatic and FWD or 7-speed DSG® dual- clutch automatic transmission and 4Motion® all-wheel drive
- Bold design clearly establishes the connection to the Volkswagen SUV family
- Smart packaging includes high-end features like standard Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, and available MIB3 with wireless App-Connect and IQ.DRIVE® driver assistance suite
Herndon, VA — Volkswagen of America, Inc. unveiled the all-new 2022 Taos today. The Volkswagen Taos will slot under the Tiguan, and is the second proof point of Volkswagen’s doubling-up SUV strategy following the launch of Atlas Cross Sport earlier this year. The vehicle is positioned in the largest U.S. vehicle segment, the compact SUV market, where 4 million vehicles were sold in 2019—around 24 percent of the market. The Taos is small in stature, but big on value, with bold design, smart packaging, and high-end features.
“Taos is our fifth new addition to the Volkswagen SUV family in just four years, and we’re thrilled to keep finding new ways to meet the needs of American families,” said Scott Keogh, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “Taos will bookend our compact SUV offering, giving buyers all the style, technology, and drivability that Volkswagen is known for at an even more affordable price.”
The Volkswagen SUV design DNA is clear in the exterior of the Taos. It bears a bold front end with a sculpted hood, and LED light signature reminiscent of the Atlas Cross Sport. Top trims feature LED headlights with the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), and an illuminated light line stretching outward from the logo, as on the recently unveiled ID.4 electric SUV. The distinctive side profile, with a strong character line, harkens to the Tiguan, while the more squared-off wheel arches give a nod to Atlas. Eight colors meet four wheel designs—17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are standard, with two 18-inch wheels (machined or black finish) and 19-inch wheels available—and a panoramic sunroof is optional.
Dimensionally, Taos sits at the middle of the entry compact SUV space, in contrast to the Tiguan, which sits at the top of the compact SUV space. Nose to tail, Taos is 175.8 inches long—9.3 inches shy of Tiguan—with a wheelbase of 105.9 inches; it is 72.5 inches wide and 64.4 inches tall. Passenger space is a roomy 99.5 cubic feet—just 1.6 cu ft less than the two-row Tiguan—with 28.1 cu ft of luggage space behind the second-row seats and 66.3 cu ft with the second row folded down. In addition to offering generous cargo space, the Taos offers a comfortable ride for all passengers, with 40.1 inches of legroom in the front and 37.9 in the rear.
Inside, the Taos features modern design and premium fit and finish. The cockpit is composed of clean lines with a horizontal focus; dash décor divides the central touchscreen from climate controls and flows seamlessly into the door inserts, adding visual interest. Two-tone seats are standard—whether in the base cloth or optional leatherette and leather seating surfaces—and include a luxurious French Roast and black combination for top-of-the-line models. Standard comfort and convenience features include automatic headlights and push-button start; KESSY® keyless access is available, along with an 8-way power driver seat, dual-zone Climatronic® climate control, rain-sensing wipers, a heated leatherette steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated side mirrors and heated washer nozzles.
Taos offers the latest in Volkswagen connectivity and infotainment technology. The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit configurable instrument cluster comes standard, as does Volkswagen Car-Net with in-car WiFi capability when you subscribe to a data plan. The MIB3 infotainment system with wireless charging and wireless App-Connect for compatible devices is available from mid-level trims and is paired with an 8-inch touchscreen with voice control, SiriusXM® satellite radio (three-month trial), and available navigation. Top trims add 10-color ambient lighting and a premium BeatsAudio® sound system with 8 speakers.
The IQ.DRIVE® suite of driver assistance technology is available on every Taos model, featuring Forward Collision Warning with Autonomous Braking (Front Assist), Active Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist), Adaptive Cruise Control with a Stop and Go feature, Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. High Beam Control (Light Assist), the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), and Park Distance Control are also available.
The Taos is powered by a 1.5-liter version of the EA211 turbocharged four-cylinder engine that currently powers the Jetta sedan. Making 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, the new engine offers a number of high-tech features designed to help produce outstanding fuel economy. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission in the front-wheel-drive model, while models with 4Motion® all-wheel drive get a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission.
There will be three trim levels: S, SE, and SEL. Taos will be produced in the North American Region at Volkswagen’s Puebla, Mexico factory. More details and pricing will be announced ahead of the launch in the summer of 2021.
SAM Region Google Translated Press Release
Volkswagen today performs live, from Buenos Aires, the World Première of Taos, the new SUV of the brand and the first to be manufactured in Argentina for the entire region. Through simultaneous live streaming in Latin America and North America, with more than 35 countries connected to the event, the Volkswagen Taos joins the German company's offensive SUV in the world. The SUV segment is the fastest growing in the South America region.
The Taos is the new SUV of the Volkswagen family and is characterized mainly by design, technology and safety. With an artistic setting aligned with Volkswagen's New Brand Design and with augmented reality animations and innovative audiovisual productions, Taos is finally presented to the public by Pablo Di Si, President and CEO of Volkswagen Latin America, and Thomas Owsianski, President and CEO of Volkswagen Argentina Group and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the SAM Region.
The new SUV coincides with the celebration of the brand's 40th anniversary in Argentina. Volkswagen Taos means an investment of US $ 650 million, aimed at modernizing the equipment and infrastructure of the General Pacheco plant, in Buenos Aires. With the implementation of the new global MQB platform and a new painting area, which will allow great savings in water and energy consumption, in addition to a substantial reduction in particulate emissions. The Volkswagen Argentina Group writes a new chapter of its success story in the region. The Volkswagen Taos will be launched in Latin America from the second quarter of 2021.
Design
The design of the Taos is undoubtedly one of its highlights of the model. The Taos has a typical SUV silhouette , which conveys a solid and robust image, in addition to ensuring internal space for its occupants. On the sides stand out the “square” wheel boxes with rounded corners and “muscular” bumpers, which enhance and increase the feeling of strength of the model. At the same time, the precision and length of its lines give it an elegant look and allows us to understand the size of the model, making it an ideal vehicle for the family.
The Taos also stands out for its elevated front, which, together with the strong angular lines on the bumper, give it a dynamic and agile design. As a main novelty, he debuts the brand’s new night signature , which connects the headlights with an LED line of light that runs the grid from side to side. This element highlights the sophistication, modernity and technology that characterize the new SUV. This new LED identity can also be found on the vehicle's taillights. Thus, the new Taos has a unique design within the brand and the market.
Inside, the brand's design team was inspired by 3 key concepts: premium , unique and sophisticated . As you can see, these references are also found in the interior with the new brand image, present in the design of the steering wheel. The horizontal layout conveys the feeling of space and puts the ' digital island ' in view of the driver , composed of the Active Info Display and the new VW Play infotainment system.
The soft touch materials and leather inserts on the dashboard complement the premise of sophistication which, added to the ambient lights with the possibility of 10 color programming, create a unique atmosphere in the medium SUV segment.
Technology
Technology is another pillar of Taos' identity. It features the renowned 250 TSI engine for maximum efficiency which, combined with its platform, delivers superior performance and lower fuel consumption. The 1.4 TSI engine is produced at the São Carlos plant, in the interior of the state of São Paulo.
Another major technological landmark is the VW Play , the fantastic multimedia center developed in the region, with a 10.1-inch screen, 100% touch and which provides the customer with the highest level of information, entertainment and connectivity. VW Play also offers the possibility to download applications on VW Play Apps, in addition to configuring the profile, linking the phone via Wireless App Connect and also scheduling the car maintenance service.
This latest Taos technology is completed with the Active Info Display , the 10.25-inch digital panel that offers the possibility to customize the information that is shown, according to the driver's taste.
In addition, Taos has a wireless cell phone charger , which allows the customer to charge the phone without the need to use a cable. This provides a freer internal space and improves the customer experience.
Safety
The Taos is also equipped with state-of-the-art driving assistants, which offer maximum safety to vehicle occupants.
An example of this is the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system with stop & go , which allows the Taos to be driven safely, maintaining a pre-selected speed and keeping the distance from the vehicle ahead autonomously. If this vehicle comes to a complete stop and starts again within 3 seconds, the Taos will perform the same movement.
Another differentiated safety element within the segment is the Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEB) with a pedestrian detector. From a frontal radar that is always active, it identifies the risk of collision or being run over and alerts the driver about this possibility. If the driver does not react, the vehicle automatically brakes autonomously, preventing or reducing an accident.
The Taos also comes with a Blind Spot Detector , which detects objects in the driver's blind spot and warns you when a vehicle is approaching from behind, maintaining safety in an attempt to change lanes. This last element is complemented by the rear traffic detector , strategically designed to prevent collisions in parking lots. This system identifies vehicles that are approaching from behind, alerting the driver and braking automatically in case of risk.
The new Taos also features the latest lighting technology from the brand, called IQ. Light . It allows the LED headlights to have a wider and wider range on the sides. It also includes intelligent assistants for driving, such as the “ Dynamic light assist ”, which adjusts the headlight beam to prevent glare from other drivers. Finally, the “ Dynamic Conversion Light ” comes on according to the steering angle that the driver applies to the steering wheel.
The Volkswagen Taos will be launched in Latin America from the second quarter of 2021.
NAR Region Taos
SAM Region Taos
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