VW’s New Compact SUV For North America Named ‘TAOS’

After announcing the launch of a brand new sub-Tiguan compact crossover aimed for the North American region, VW has also revealed the model’s name – Taos.

The name was chosen because of the town of Taos, home to 6,000 people and featuring a 400-year history and a 1,000-year-old Native American community just a few miles away. It has a world-class ski resort, stunning landscapes, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the Rio Grande Gorge.

Taos also happens to be the home of John Muir, author of “How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot” – first published back in 1969. This book has reportedly helped keep countless VW models running, from Beetles and Buses to Type 3 and Type 4 models.

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“We’re thrilled to announce the name for the newest member of the Volkswagen family,” said Hein Schafer, VW of America senior VP for marketing and strategy. “It was important to choose a name that really embodied the nature of the car and the town of Taos, New Mexico was a perfect fit. It’s a small city that offers big things—from outdoor adventure to arts and design and great cuisine.”

“We are excited that Volkswagen has named their sport utility vehicle after the town of Taos,” said Taos Mayor, Dan Barrone. “It’s a great opportunity for our community to share its rich history and culture alongside Volkswagen with its unique and rich history and culture.”

The German carmaker believes the Taos will offer great value and excellent fuel economy, to go with its advanced infotainment system and modern driver-assistance features.

So if you feel the Tiguan is too big, you can finally look forward to something a bit more compact from VW. The unveiling will take place on October 13.