Test mules aren’t (only) for our visual amusement, as they serve an important purpose during the development phase of new models, allowing engineers to focus on the platform and mechanical components without the need of a completed prototype. In this instance, our spies photographed VW’s people testing the next generation Tiguan’s underpinnings cloaked in a shortened body from the Touran.

As with any other VW Group product of this size these days, the new Tiguan will ride on the German brand’s scalable MQB platform architecture and use the same turbocharged diesel and gasoline engines found on compact cars like the VW Golf and Skoda Octavia, offering both FWD and AWD setups.

The styling remains a mystery for now, though, we suspect the second generation Tiguan will draw inspiration from the familiar design language used on the larger CrossBlue Crossover and smaller Taigun concept cars.

There’s no set introduction date that we know of yet, but given the amount of time the current Tiguan has been on the market, we should see the new model breaking cover sometime next year.

By John Halas

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

PHOTO GALLERY

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