VW Readies Stretched Tiguan Crossover

Volkswagen AG will unveil a long-wheelbase version of the second-generation Tiguan compact crossover vehicle next month at the Detroit auto show.

The three-row, seven-seat model will be sold as the Tiguan Allspace in Europe. In the U.S. and China it will be known simply as the Tiguan and serve as the replacement for the first-generation model.

VW launched the updated base Tiguan earlier this year in Europe. That vehicle, which won't be available in the U.S. or China, has five seats in two rows.

The Tiguan Allspace adds four inches to the base model’s wheelbase and eight inches in overall length. Both models ride on VW’s modular MQB platform that also underpins the Golf small car.

Power is expected to come from a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission. A diesel option is likely in Europe. A plug-in hybrid variant also is said to be under consideration.

VW will build the Tiguan Allspace alongside the base model at its plant in Puebla, Mexico. Sales are due start next summer.