Volkswagen Taigun is a subcompact crossover SUV (B segment) produced by the German automaker Volkswagen. Made in India and intended for the Indian market, the Taigun is based on the Volkswagen T-Cross for the Indian market.
The name “Taigun” can be traced back to 2012, when Volkswagen introduced an unrelated smaller crossover SUV concept car of the same name. Based on the Up city car, the ex-Taigun is scheduled for mass production in 2016 for Europe, Brazil and India. However, the Up-based Taigun project was eventually canceled.
The prototype version of the T-Cross-based Taigun was showcased at Auto Expo in February 2020 and is scheduled to go on sale in mid-2021. The Taigun is based on the long-wheelbase version of the T-Cross with a few changes. For example, Taigun shares a similar front end with the Chinese market T-Cross. Volkswagen stated that the car is built on the Volkswagen Group MQB A0 IN platform, which is exclusive to the Indian market. The platform is also the Škoda Kushaq, launched in March 2021.
The production version of the Taigun was announced on March 31, 2021. Made specifically for the Indian market under VW Group’s India 2.0 plan. The only noticeable change made to the car is the reduction of the wheels from 19 inches to 17 inches.
The Volkswagen Taigun name, unrelated to the 2021 model Taigun, was launched as a concept subcompact crossover SUV close to production. The concept Taigun, which has the potential to replace the hatchback CrossFox and place it under the Tiguan compact crossover SUV; It competed against mini crossover SUVs alongside the Nissan Juke, Mini Countryman and Suzuki SX4.
The prototype was unveiled at the 2012 São Paulo International Auto Show. The Taigun was planned to be produced by Volkswagen Group for the 2016 model year, but the plan has been cancelled. Contrary to market trend, the car was seen as rather small and was instead replaced by the Volkswagen T-Cross, which went on sale in 2018.
