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VW Tiguan grows up, gets bigger

The compact crossover segment continues to do huge business around the world, and Volkswagen is showing just how important the niche is by debuting four versions of the all-new, second-generation Tiguan at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Now riding on VW's MQB platform, the latest version has had a growth spurt, but it has also shed 110 pounds in the process. The first of them will hit the international market in April 2016. While the design is still definitively a VW, the latest Tiguan looks more aggressive and expands to 2.4-inches longer, 1.2-inches wider, 1.3-inches lower. There's also three more inches of wheelbase than the outgoing generation. At the front, the grille stretches all the way across and connects with the headlights to visually widen the look even more. In profile and at the rear, things are now a bit more angular, but the changes give the model a more chiseled style. In Fall 2016, VW will debut an even longer wheelbase body for the Tiguan. According to the company, this version will be aimed directly at customers in the US and China that prefer larger vehicles. The added inches outside translate to more room for passengers and cargo inside. Even with the seats up, there's an extra 1.8 cubic feet for stuff in the back, and those sitting in the rear get 1.1 inches more knee room. As an added amenity, buyers can option a 12.3-inch Active Info display digital instrument panel. Europeans gets a choice of eight engines: four fueled by gasoline and four by diesel. They range in power from 123 to 237 horsepower. Expect far fewer options when the Tiguan eventually arrives on these shores. Both front-wheel drive and 4Motion are available, too. In addition to having standard, 4Motion, and R-Line variants on display in Frankfurt, VW also has the Tiguan GTE plug-in hybrid concept at the show. It combines a 1.4-liter TSI engine and an electric motor mounted to the six-speed DSG to offer a total system output of 215 hp. The 13 kWh lithium-ion battery also lets the PHEV cover 31 miles on electric power and get an estimated 124 miles per gallon on the European cycle. That's not too bad, but the roof also features solar cells that VW claims can add another 621 miles of driving range per year under ideal conditions.

Everyone but VW and Tesla has recalled their Takata airbags

Takata's massive airbag inflator recall affected over 32 million vehicles from 11 automakers in the US, but two companies buying the supplier's parts haven't been affected so far: Volkswagen and Tesla. There are 887,055 VWs and 184,926 Teslas using Takata's inflators with ammonium-nitrate propellant, a new accounting shows, according to Automotive News. That doesn't necessarily mean the models need to be recalled. These figures came from a report that Takata prepared for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which listed all of the vehicles it supplied with ammonium nitrate-fueled inflators. The substance is believed to be linked with the components' rupturing, along with manufacturing defects and humidity. "We're not asking because we've got reports of problems; we just need to figure out what the universe is," NHTSA spokesman Gordon Trowbridge said to Automotive News. Takata reportedly told Tesla that the inflators in its EVs are not affected with these problems, and VW is investigating a case in June where a side airbag allegedly burst in a 2015 Tiguan, Automotive News reports. The government is also still researching the precise cause of the parts' ruptures. If the investigation finds ammonium nitrate to be a factor, the vehicles could need recalled. During a Congressional hearing Takata vice president Kevin Kennedy admitted that ammonium nitrate could be among the factors of the ruptures, but the company has continued to use the chemical in its inflators. Takata is now working to transition to a different propellant. Related Video:

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 revealed, plus driving the BMW M8 Convertible | Autoblog Podcast #632

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Producer Christopher McGraw and News Editor Joel Stocksdale. Before they get to this week's big news, they talk about the cars they've been driving, including the Toyota Land Cruiser, Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, BMW M8 Convertible and BMW 840i coupe. Then they talk about Ford's big reveal of the 2021 Mustang Mach 1. Finally, in lieu of the regular Spend My Money segment, they talk about how Joel recently spent his own money on the newest edition to his personal fleet, a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. Autoblog Podcast #632 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Cars we're driving: 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser 2020 Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography 2020 BMW M8 Convertible 2020 BMW 840i Fords reveals 2021 Mustang Mach 1 Spend Joel's Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: