VW to release Tiguan Clean Diesel in 2008

German car maker Volkswagen finally gets a small SUV that is based on the GTI.

With enhanced exhaust system that will yield clean gases; the Tiguan's clean diesel is a first in the segment. Volkswagen said that like any other VW vehicle, the Tiguan is expected to be efficient and powerful.

Volkswagen's Concept Tiguan gives the automotive industry a good glimpse of what the company's small SUV will look like when it goes into production sometime during the forth quarter next year. The Golf-based crossover is designed to compete with the likes of the Ford Escape, the Honda CR-V, and the Toyota RAV4 -- for what many call as the race for the cute supremacy. This VW concept has a strong resemblance to its car family member, the Touareg, which is considered the big brother. However, it also takes cues from the Volkswagen Concept A that was shown last spring at the Geneva auto show.

The Concept Tiguan is quite a looker with its aggressive face and taut body lines that work well with its compact dimensions. As always, VW nicely sprinkles enough chrome and bright work around the body to give the vehicle a bit of sparkle without appearing gaudy. The car also features the black roof panel or the panoramic moon roof. It reminds people of the carbon fiber panels that BMW puts on some of its M cars. The concept also sports nineteen-inch Continental tires with body-matching orange trim and xenon headlamps that appear to float freely inside their housings.

The tires are exceptionally attractive with a fire red color in each trough. The interior has ample space that is good for five family members including the driver.

Under the hood, the Concept Tiguan has a 2.0 liter "clean TDI" diesel engine. This is what VW calls "a diesel engine of the next generation." This motor produces 140 horsepower and 200 ft/lb of torque. It runs much cleaner than current diesel power plants thanks in part to a catalytic converter that is capable of reducing nitrogen oxides by ninety percent over today's diesels. Of course, this "clean TDI" not only meets the strict emission standards in the U.S., but also those around the world.

When the Tiguan reaches production, buyers will have three engine options: the aforementioned diesel, Volkswagen's impressive 2.0-liter turbo four, and possibly even a V-6.

With refined VW performance parts, the Tiguan clean diesel is another VW breakthrough in the race for clean and green cars.