Volkswagen Tharu 2020

2020 Volkswagen Tharu is the new crossover of the German concern. The appearance of the car is associated with the growing popularity of compact models with improved cross-country ability, as well as the expansion of the company's lineup. According to the manufacturer, the novelty will have the following traditional advantages of Volkswagen cars:

1. appearance;
2. comfort;
3. security;
4. reliability;
5. power.

Among Tharu's classmates and competitors, crossovers can be distinguished:

• Skoda Karoq;
• Hyundai Creta;
• Renault Kaptur;
• Nissan Qashqai;
• Lifan X50;
• Mitsubishi Outlander.

The prototype of the novelty was presented in the spring of 2018 at the Beijing Motor Show, and at the end of this year, the launch of the production of the model in China is scheduled. Volkswagen plans to start selling Tharu crossover in Eastern Europe, South Africa, Mexico, and India by 2020.

External image

The photo presented by Volkswagen clearly shows that the appearance of the new 2018-2019 Tharu crossover of the model year resembles the image of the larger Teramont model of the latest generation and is characterized by its solidity and power.

To form such a design, VW designers and artists used:

• straight hood;
• almost rectangular headlights in a two-lens design and with a lower LED strip of running lights;
• wide radiator grill with two massive longitudinal inserts and coarse-mesh pattern;
• additional air intake in a plastic frame and passing into the overhead protection panel;
• increased slope of the windshield and vice versa a small smooth slope of the roof in the aft of the crossover;
• significant side glazing;
• square wheel arch;
• massive front stamping;
• large taillights;
• stepped aft and vertical tailgate.

Off-road qualities of the car are emphasized by the traditional set, which includes:

• plastic body kit;
• protective inserts in wheel arches;
• high ground clearance;
• reduced overhangs of the body;
• special bottom panels.

Interior

Volkswagen is positioning the new compact crossover as inexpensive and affordable, therefore, high-quality, but not the most expensive materials have been used in the interior design:

1. soft plastic;
2. artificial leather;
3. wear resistant fabric;
4. high-quality carpet.

In the architecture of the cabin stand out:

• multi-function steering wheel with lower support;
• analog dashboard;
• the center console, which received several tiers and a two-tone design in its design;
• front seats with lateral support and head restraints;
• front armrest with storage compartment;
• wide tunnel with cup holders;
• color touch monitor multimedia complex.

The seats of the second row fold in the ratio 1/2, but at the same time it is not possible to achieve a flat trunk floor, and the resulting protrusion will make the loading not very convenient.

Technical parameters and equipment

The dimensions of the new Volkswagen Tara 2012 model year are:

Length	4,450 mm
Width	1 840 mm
Height	1,630 mm
Wheelbase	2 680 mm
Clearance	185 mm

The new crossover is based on the proprietary MQB platform. At the initial stage of production, Tharu will receive only front-wheel drive and will be equipped with power units with the following technical characteristics:

engine's type	Volume	Power
Petrol turbocharged	1.2 l	115.0 liters from.
Petrol turbocharged	1.4 l	150.0 l from.

With both engines, it is possible to use a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-band robot.

Volkswagen has not yet decided on a model of the diesel engine, which will later be installed on the car.

Due to the fact that the car gravitates to the budget segment for the basic version, it is proposed to install a relatively small, by modern standards, amount of equipment among which we can distinguish:

• 6-inch monitor of a multimedia complex;
• four airbags;
• air conditioning;
• electrically controlled side mirrors;
• power windows;
• navigation complex;
• electric driver's seat;
• Personal Computer;
• audio system with six speakers;
• electric power steering and adjustable steering column;
• fog lights.

As options, depending on the crossover configuration options, the use of the following equipment is possible:

• keyless access to the salon;
• starting the engine with a button;
• electric seat heating;
• climate control;
• all-round visibility;
• parking, light and rain sensors;
• LED optics;
• side mirrors with automatic folding.

The final list of crossover equipment, depending on the configuration option will be announced before the start of production.

Start of sales and cost

Initially, the 2018-2019 Volkswagen Tara model year will be sold in China, where the initial crossover price will be 145.00 thousand yuan (1 million 400 rubles). VW's further plans include launching a new car for domestic buyers and Eastern European countries at an assembly plant in the city of Kaluga, while taking into account the specifics of Russian demand, it is possible to manufacture an all-wheel drive version of Volkswagen Tharu.

Tharu for Russia

In the spring of 2019, Volkswagen introduced the Tharu 2020 model, designed specifically for the Russian market. The novelty is really worthy of attention, despite the fact that in China the production car has already gone on sale.

According to Ralph Brandstätter, Volkswagen’s chief operating officer, in Russia car production will take place in Nizhny Novgorod with the capacities of the GAZ group. Differences from the Chinese version will be in size (with a wheelbase of 2630-2638 mm).

So, the crossover, which they plan to assemble in Russia, will receive several differences from the original described above, namely:

1. the car is likely to get a new name - Volkswagen Tarek;
2. its dimensions will become more modest so as not to displace the popular Volkswagen Tiguan model from the Russian market;
3. changes in the engine range of the reduced Tharu (Tarek) are possible, but it is not yet known which of the two declared power units will be available to Russian customers.

I will be pleased that the interior and technical equipment of the reduced 2018-2019 Volkswagen Tharu will not differ from the original, as well as a set of modern options in the budget and most expensive models.

So, buyers of the TOP version can also rely on a panoramic roof, a large touch screen multimedia system, a projection dashboard, climate control and other advantages wilted for expensive trim levels.

Also see the first video about the new Volkswagen Tharu:

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