Volkswagen Taigun to launch in 2016, to rival Ford EcoSport [Pictures]

New Delhi: Volkswagen is all set to enter the SUV race in Indian market, as it will soon start developing its compact SUV Taigun. VW believes the SUV will launch in 2016, if everything goes by plan. However, VW said the Taigun is unlikely to be sold in the U.S. due to its compact dimensions and three-cylinder gasoline and diesel engine lineup.The VW Taigun debuted last year in Brazil at the Sao Paulo motor show and targets similar crossovers such as the Ford EcoSport. The Volkswagen Taigun will be based on the New Small Family platform structure (PQ12) that also underpins Volkswagen's small hatchback, the Up! The Taigun will be offered in both petrol and diesel versions. The petrol variant is expected to be a 1.2-litre TSI engine along with the 1.6-litre petrol motor derived from Vento sedan. The diesel is likely to be a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine that has been employed in the Polo. VW says the the drivetrain will power the front wheels only. The company says it don't have any plans to launch a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive variant as the company wants to make the product economically competitive.The Taigun is longer, with its 97.2 inches (2,470mm) wheelbase being 2 inches (51mm) longer than the Up's. The track widths are the same at 56.2 inches (1,427mm) for the front and 56 inches (1,422mm) for the rear.The German carmaker didn't offer an official timeline for the launch of the production Taigun, but the car has reportedly entered an initial engineering program, which means it should reach dealerships by 2016.The Taigun will be assembled at two plants: Sao Paulo, Brazil, for left-hand drive markets and Pune, India, for right-hand drive markets. The report says VW is also considering production at a third plant in Kaluga, Russia. VW is likely to offer the SUV with three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines linked to either a standard manual gearbox or an optional dual-clutch transmission. A natural gas variant is reportedly in the works.Volkswagen claims that Taigun will offers Indian SUV buyers a distinctively styled and versatile alternative to a growing number of compact front-wheel-drive SUVs. The company will also launch a long-wheel-base second generation Tiguan, which was showcased at the Detroit auto show back in January as the CrossBlue concept.