Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Volkswagen launches gasoline-powered Tiguan Allspace
Sacha Askidjian, managing director of Volkswagen Korea, poses with the company's new SUV Tiguan Allspace at Crest 72 conference hall in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Volkswagen Korea
By Baek Byung-yeul
By Baek Byung-yeul
Volkswagen launched its gasoline engine-powered SUV Tiguan Allspace in the Korean market, the German carmaker's Korean unit said, Tuesday.
In the Korean market, Volkswagen has been largely associated with diesel engine-powered vehicles, notably the Jetta compact sedan. But more drivers here prefer gasoline engine-powered cars or electric cars that have less noise and vibration compared to those that use diesel engines.
In consideration of consumers' changed tastes, Volkswagen Korea said the Tiguan Allspace is equipped with a 2.0-liter TSI gasoline engine.
Sacha Askidjian, the managing director of Volkswagen Korea, elaborated that the Tiguan Allspace is more spacious with seven seats so that it is designed to satisfy all kinds of lifestyles of Korean consumers.
“It's a seven-seater, more spacious Tiguan. I can say that the wider it is, the better it is for making an all-rounder family SUV. We believe the new Tiguan Allspace will fulfill every lifestyle of Korean customers,” Askidjian said during a press conference in Seoul.
“It's matched with the new 2.0 TSI engine. Yes, it's gasoline. Now, Korean customers will have more options for the best-selling SUV,” the managing director added.
The company further explained that the SUV focused on driver convenience by applying the latest digital technology. Driving information and fuel status are visible on a 10.25-inch digital dash in the vehicle's cockpit and consumers can easily control the vehicle's systems through a 9.2-inch infotainment screen.
All the convenient features are tailored to Korean consumers, the company added. “Front seat ventilation, panoramic sunroof, trunk easy open and close, parking assist and heads-up display are included in the Tiguan Allspace,” a spokeswoman of Volkswagen Korea said.
To meet the growing needs for electric vehicles (EVs) in Korea, the managing director also said Volkswagen will launch its EV ID.4 in September.
“The ID.4, Volkswagen's first pure electric SUV will be launched in Korea and we will be the first country in the world for export outside of Europe. I can already invite you to the launch event on the 15th of September,” Askidjian said.