Information has repeatedly surfaced on the Internet that a new, compact crossover is being prepared for the Russian automotive market. Until recently, the name was not known, and how the novelty would look like. Moreover, no characteristics and words about design. Yet many assumed that it would be one of the previously presented specimens. It turned out to be true, earlier, back in 2018, the Volkswagen Tharu was introduced to the Chinese market.
About three months later, information leaked that this Volkswagen crossover would be shipped to North America, with production in Argentina, Mexico and Russia. Also, many assumed that in the United States the novelty would be sold as the Volkswagen Tarek, but later it turned out to be the name of a general project to develop a crossover. A little later, it nevertheless became known that the compact crossover would be sold under the name Taos, both for North America and for Russia.
Despite the same name as the Northern Crossover, the car will be different for Russia. The Russian Volkswagen Taos will be smaller in size, and besides, it is practically the brother of the new Skoda Karoq, which is also assembled in Russia.
| Sizes of the crossover Volkswagen Taos 2021 | ||
| Name | For Russia | For USA |
| Length, mm | 4417 | 4465 |
| Width, mm | 1841 | 1841 |
| Height, mm | 1602 | 1636 |
| Wheelbase, mm | — | 2690 |
The wheelbase of the new Volkswagen Taos for Russia has not yet been named, but judging from the fact that it is a direct relative of the Skoda Kodiaq, then the base can be 2638 mm or 2630 mm, depending on the engine installed.
If we talk about the design of the new Volkswagen Taos for the Russian market, then it is an exact copy of the overseas crossover. Although the rear window (behind the tailgate) was exactly copied from the Skoda Karoq. The basis for the new crossover in Russia will serve as 16 ″, 17 ″ or 18 ″ alloy wheels. As for the configurations, it is already known that there will be three of them in Russia (Status, Exclusive and Respect). Unfortunately, it is still unknown how these configurations will differ from each other.
It is only known that the new Volkswagen Taos will enter the Russian market with adaptive LED optics, 2-zone climate control, parking sensors, LED interior lighting, a multimedia system with a 10 ″ screen and a rear view camera. The first copies will be offered in the Joy package, it will also be limited. The main difference is in the bright orange or beige color of the body and orange inserts around the perimeter of the cabin.
Since the base and other body elements went to the new Volkswagen Taos from Skoda Karoq, the units went the same way. Under the hood of the new Taos, Russia will be offered a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter MPI engine with 110 horsepower, as well as a 1.4-liter turbocharged TSI with 150 hp.
Paired with an atmospheric engine, a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission can be installed, while regardless of the transmission, the drive will only be to the front axle. Turbocharged engine paired with 8 tbsp. The automatic transmission will also be front-wheel drive. If you want all-wheel drive, then a robotic transmission and two clutches will be installed in tandem with the TSI 1.4.
There is no official information about where the new Volkswagen Taos will be produced for Russia. Still, one can guess, given the similarities with the Skoda Karoq, the new Taos will be assembled at the same GAZ plant (Nizhny Novgorod). Closer to the official premiere, the configuration and cost of the new item will be revealed. However, the official Volkswagen website already has a small press release for the new Taos crossover.
