Volkswagen Tiguan Experience 2023
Volkswagen recently organised the Tiguan Experience event for its customers and motoring journalists to showcase its capabilities across different terrains. Based on Volkswagen's tried and tested MQB architecture, this SUV is well-liked globally, offering a host of features and a potent engine. The Tiguan is equipped with Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, impressing us with its off-roading prowess at a specially built course in Bandra, Mumbai.
The Tiguan Experience featured a variety of challenging activities, including a steep hill incline and descent, axle articulation, slush pit, and last but not least, a water wading test. Initially, Volkswagen's expert instructors guided us through the off-roading track in the Tiguan, demonstrating the execution of these activities. The instructor also explained the purpose of each test and how the Tiguan's features and all-wheel drive operate during off-roading. After the demo session, it was our turn to individually navigate the Tiguan through the obstacles, accompanied by an instructor.
The first obstacle involved a steep hill climb and descent to showcase the hill hold assist and hill descent control functions of the Tiguan. To experience the functions, we slowly ascended the hill and stopped midway, activating the hill hold assist within seconds by pressing the brake momentarily. Once activated, pressing the accelerator allowed the SUV to resume ascent from where it halted. The key, as our instructor emphasised, was maintaining consistent acceleration while ascending steep hills. Descending the hill required another brief brake application, and the Tiguan descended slowly, utilising the hill hold and descent control alongside the SUV's traction control system.
The most challenging section was the axle articulation test, highlighting the SUV's suspension travel, body shell's torsional rigidity, ground clearance, and drivetrain's power distribution to specific wheels. During this exercise, one of the Tiguan's tires was off the ground, showcasing the SUV's ability to handle such situations with ease, providing a thrilling experience.
Unfortunately, the slush pit, due to Mumbai's scorching heat, was dry, preventing us from experiencing the traction control system's performance in that scenario. Despite this, we proceeded to the last segment, where the Tiguan waded through a reasonably deep water body to test its water-wading capability, a useful feature during monsoons in cities prone to flooding, such as Delhi and Mumbai.
We explored the Tiguan's park assist feature, which detects an empty parking space in a lot and autonomously parks with the aid of sensors. You just need to assist in switching between drive and reverse modes, while the system initiates automatic steering. It was a cherry on top. The Tiguan Experience not only displayed its go-anywhere capability but also provided valuable insights into off-roading basics.