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Volkswagen has released the first set of images and details of its all-new Tharu XR SUV. Not to be confused with the bigger Tharu SUV sold in some international markets, the new Tharu XR SUV is essentially a slightly longer version of the Taigun that we get in India.
The Tharu XR sits on the same emerging market-spec MQB A0 platform that underpins the Taigun, Kushaq, Slavia and the Virtus in India. It has the same 2651mm wheelbase as the India 2.0 models and shares quite a few bits with them.
While the Tharu XR’s wheelbase is the same as Taigun’s, it is 134mm longer at at 4,355mm. The added length on the Tharu XR is seen aft of the rear wheel on the Tharu XR thus giving it a more proportional look and a slightly slanted rear tailgate when compared to the Taigun which gets a much shorter rear overhang and an upright tailgate design.
As far as design goes, while the doors and most body panels on the Tharu XR look identical to the Taigun, the front styling including the new-look headlamps, grille and front bumper. At the back it gets dark tinted connected taillamps with transparent lenses giving it more upmarket look than its Indian counterpart. The rear bumper is also bigger than the Taigun and gets more contrast faux aluminum bits.
The SUV will come with a 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine in multiple states of tune. Interior pictures of the Tharu XR have not been revealed however we expect the cabin to be more or less identical to the Taigun we get here. There will be some cosmetic differences along with some feature additions. It remains to be seen whether Volkswagen offers the Tharu XR as a five-seater with a bigger boot than the Taigun or it squeezes in an extra row of seats making it a six or seven seat SUV.
The Tharu XR will initially be a China only model, there is no news of it coming to India as of now. In China, the SUV is jointly built by SAIC-VW Joint venture.
Autocar