ITS youthful but packs the punch.
That’s is the VW Taigo R-Line trim, which graced my garage recently for a test.
The 1.0 R-Line trim elevates the Taigo to a new level of style and onlookers were impressed with its cool but youthful design, that also packs a punch!
‘Perfect match’ murmured one neighbour, as I took if off for a drive to the shops in Norwoord, to familiarise myself with the ins -and -outs of this crossover trim.
It boast strong lines, swept-back coupe roof line, and muscular c pillars it cuts quite the profile. In the R-Line trim you get larger black wheels, IQ Matrix headlights and LED tail lamps, and a host of smaller R-based trimmings that set this one apart from its sisters: standard Life and Style models, respectively.
Head-turner obviously, the seats are covered in stylish cloth material incorporating Alcantara inserts embossed with the R-line logo. Touch surfaces are all soft with even the plastics maintaining a high-end feel and sliding panoramic sunroof.
It has a composition media system with wireless Apple Car Play and Android auto with the requisite wireless charger in the phone bay. The dash is soft touch and gets piano black and brushed aluminium trim while the sporty feel is continued with aluminium trim pedals, and its keyless entry.
Passenger headroom is slightly compromised by the sloping roof but the boot is comparatively big, able to take 440l of luggage. My observation, it can’t carry way too much ‘sistas’ usual travel bags. Sorry on that front.
But the Switchgear and layout is very familiar with a user-friendly setup.
The Taigo gets auto climate control that is operated via the small haptic touch feedback panel just above the centre console which keeps things cool or hot depending on the day. USB-C ports abound keeping everyone’s devices charged. Legroom not so ‘appropriate’ but upfront there is plenty of space legs. Now this goes back to the ‘perfect match’ story due to the structure of my body.
Loved its Smokey Gray/Black Pearlescent metallic paintwork and sporting black wheel arch and those black wheels. It shows the punch it can pack!
On safety, it boast 6 airbags to keep occupants in check while the vehicle is equipped with ABS, EBD, TSC, rearview camera, park assist and a host of driver assistance systems such as BSM (blind spot monitoring). It’s Stop and Go helps in conserving fuel.
Taigo is powered by the 1.0l 3 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 85kW and 200Nm, power sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG transmission that has lightning-quick changes, 0-100km is dispatched in just 10 seconds with a paper top speed of 200km/h claimed.
(Un) fortunately, there were no cops on some of the roads used be it Midrand, Soweto, Bryanston, Haarties, et al, thus had to avoid the temptation of going full throttle, yes there was, but I had to ‘man-up’, thanks to its 40l petrol tank.
It can roughly get 700km from a tank if driven conservatively, as per figures of 5.4l/100km claimed.
Since there were no hairpin turns- one could tell the steering-wheel and the balance of Tiago are perfectly intact, stru! Kudos…
You may have noticed most new Volkswagen model names start with a T. That’s because most new VWs are crossovers or little station wagons on stilts, and the automaker identifies crossovers and the Touareg SUV with a T in their names.
Crossovers are very fashionable in the local car-buying market and worldwide.
Yes, it’s youthful but packs a punch.
Retail price R 537 100
It is sold with a sold with a 3 year / 120 000km warranty and a 3 year / 45 000km service plan.
Verdict
Performance 1-10 (6)
Fuel 1-10 (5)
All images SLM ( The VW Tiago 1.0 R-Line trim elevates the Taigo to a new level of style and onlookers were impressed with its cool but youthful design, that also packs a punch).
