Sure, diesel fuel costs a pretty penny in the U.S. these days, but that shouldn't stop Americans from fawning over a diesel VW Tiguan that gets over 40 mpg on the European combined cycle and emits 185 g/km of CO₂ (that number could be lower, in our eye, but still). The Brits will soon be able to take one of these CUVs home for the pretty penny price of £22,670 ($45,000 US) for the SE or £23,370 ($46,400) for the Sport trim. VW dealers are taking orders now. The Tiguan's new 2.0-litre TDI 170 PS common rail diesel engine can pump out up to 258 lbs ft of torque. Details after the jump. Early reports from the UK on the Tiguan TDI are favorable, and there's at least some hope that fawning Americans will get their chance.

When Volkswagen announced their new Tiguan compact crossover last year, American VW fans got excited about the prospect of a TDI model joining the lineup. It would have been the first diesel-powered small SUV in the U.S. market, but alas it wasn't meant to be, at least not yet. While VW officials say they have no immediate plans to offer a diesel in the U.S. Tiguan when the vehicle launches later this year, an observant driver has nonetheless spotted one in California. The Tiguan was parked at VW's California design studio in Palo Alto and closer examination revealed that it was was oil-burner. It's not at all unusual for manufacturers to be testing models only sold in foreign markets on our shores and the presence of this particular Tiguan doesn't necessarily signify anything. Most likely, Volkswagen will be watching how sales of the upcoming Jetta and Touareg TDI models do here - along with watching the price of diesel fuel - before making a go/no-go call on the Tiguan TDI.

[Source: TDIclub, thanks to Brian for the tip]

Click the photo for a high res gallery of the production version of the Tiguan

We first saw the concept version of the Volkswagen Tiguan last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, followed by final prototype testing in Africa just a few weeks ago. Now Volkswagen has released photos of the production version that the world will see in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. There aren't any surprises or significant changes to the styling but we do have some extra technical information.

Worldwide the Tiguan will be available with a range of turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engines. Overseas there will be three gas-fueled TSI engines ranging from 150hp to 200hp along with a pair of TDI diesels. Here in the US we will only get the 200hp TFSI engine currently available in the GTI to start with. Shortly after the introduction a BlueTec clean diesel will be added to the US lineup. Hopefully the TSI engines and DSG gearboxes used elsewhere will come here soon as well. Speaking of introduction, the Tiguan will go on sale everywhere in May 2008. VW has a micro-site dedicated to the Tiguan at www.tiguan-base.com.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Volkswagen debuted a concept version of their Tiguan compact SUV last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show and it looks the production version won't be changing much. Volkswagen is holding their final sign-off ride for the new vehicle in Namibia to evaluate the hot weather performance and off-road performance. Unlike some of its competitors - the Ford Escape, Saturn Vue and Toyota Highlander - the Tiguan won't offer a hybrid version, at least not at first.

Instead, Volkswagen will offer a range of five different engines. There will be three different gas fueled TSI engines with 150hp, 170hp and 200hp. The TSI engines are VW's small displacement direct injected engines with both turbo and supercharging. In addition to the gas engines, VW will be offering a diesels with 140hp and 170hp. Which, if any, of these engines will make it to US market is unknown although at least one of the diesels is likely. It will be interesting to see how the Tiguan, especially the diesel, does against the hybrids in its class.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Volkswagen is unveiling what they're calling the "Small Touareg" at the Los Angeles auto show today, although it won't actually be coming to market for almost another year. The Tiguan is, wait for it, a compact crossover SUV. What an original concept! The basic shape is pretty conventional, and feature an updated version of the now familiar VW face with a grill that stands out a little more from the surrounding bodywork. The vehicle is within about an inch of a Ford Escape in all exterior dimensions, and the "concept" features aggressive looking 19" wheels and a glass panoramic roof. The styling is best summed up by this statement from the VW press release: "Viewed from the side, except for the small VW symbols in the 19 inch wheel rims, there is no logo that "tips off" the viewer that the Concept Tiguan is a Volkswagen" meaning it could have come from any of a dozen other manufacturers.

The big news about the Tiguan is that this is the first VW-branded vehicle to feature a BlueTec Diesel. BlueTec is the Mercedes-developed diesel emission control system using a combination of particulate filter, special catalyst and urea injection to clean up the exhaust. The main distinction of BlueTec is the ability to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 percent thanks to the urea. Over the next couple of years all the VW diesels are expected to adopt BlueTec to make them emissions compliant in all 50 states. More pics and the VW press release are after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]