VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN: GTI OF COMPACT SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES

05/12/2008

Volkswagen

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that its all-new and highly anticipated compact sport utility vehicle Tiguan is now available in dealer showrooms. Staying true to Volkswagen's autobahn heritage, the Tiguan is truly the GTI of compact sport utility vehicles.

Tiguan brings new standards of design aesthetics, driving dynamics, safety features, and a host of luxury and convenience attributes to an emerging category. Tiguan offers distinctive European design characteristics such as a sophisticated and eye-catching face, an available panoramic sunroof enabling almost 13 square feet of sunshine, and three trim levels allowing personalized configurations for a wider range of CUV shoppers.

Tiguan features the "fun to drive" handling and performance expected from a Volkswagen. A standard 2.0L TSI engine delivers turbocharged acceleration while still delivering responsible fuel efficiency. This award winning turbocharged four-cylinder power plant delivers 200 horsepower and 207 lbs -ft of torque. The combination of four valves per cylinder, direct fuel injection and turbo charging delivers the optimum balance of power and economy. European tuned suspension enables connected handling, while also providing a smooth and compliant ride. Both front wheel drive and 4Motion(R) all-wheel-drive is available to suit any weather or road condition.

Tiguan also is unique in the category by offering a choice of either six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission options.

Like all Volkswagens, Tiguan includes the Prevent and Preserve Safety System, consisting of 45 safety features. As standard equipment, Tiguan includes six airbags, with rear side airbags available as an option. Like all 2009 model year Volkswagens, Tiguan also features standard Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) for added safety.

Tiguan was designed with driver and passenger convenience in mind. Flexible seating, with reclining rear seats with six inches of fore and aft travel, allow for additional leg room or cargo space depending on individual needs. The front passenger seat also folds flat for carrying longer objects. The interior also includes various clips and storage bins ensuring safe space for all types of items that travel in the vehicle.

This vehicle also features an available state of the art navigation system, combining a sophisticated radio with a precise touch screen navigation system and easy to use map views through its 6.5 inch high resolution wide-screen display. The system includes a 30GB hard drive to store map data and audio files that can be brought into the device via the optical drive or SD card slot. The optical drive is capable of reading CD, DVD and DVD Audio formats. In conjunction with the media device interface (MDI), the system can interface with an iPod or USB stick. The system offers available Sirius Satellite Radio audio services and Sirius(R) Traffic service, which streams real-time traffic data into the navigation system.

Tiguan is available in three trim levels, S, SE, and SEL. It is base priced at $23,200, reflecting the Volkswagen brand commitment to value. The SE and SEL trim levels will be available with Volkswagen's tenacious all-wheel drive 4Motion system.

Tiguan, like all current 2009 model year Volkswagens, is included in the no- charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this program all of Tiguan's scheduled maintenance, as described in its maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty-three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Since all current Volkswagens, including Tiguan, use synthetic oil, combined with state-of-the-art German engineering, a 5K oil change is no longer necessary. This means that like all current Volkswagen owners, Tiguan drivers can drive farther between oil changes.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles. As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stability control system on its entire product line - ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. Volkswagen's ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control and rollovers to avoid crashes. NHTSA predicts that nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if automakers included stability systems as standard equipment.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, Tiguan and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.