THE stage is set for the arrival of a new body shape from the Volkswagen brand.

With the new compact crossover Taigo, Volkswagen is launching an SUV coupé on the European market for the first time.

The front-wheel drive Taigo is a real crowd-pleaser with its trendy crossover body style, raised seating positions, pioneering connectivity and unrestricted suitability for everyday use.

The rear of the five-seater car slopes backwards in the style of a coupé, without restricting headroom in the back seat. This sees Volkswagen expand the portfolio of the compact Polo (hatchback) and T-Cross (SUV) models built on the MQB platform with a third chassis variant, which has previously been primarily reserved for high-end models.

Numerous latest-generation assistance systems guarantee optimum comfort and a high level of safety for all passengers.

The new Taigo focuses on design, individuality and emotion. With full LED head-lights, an all-digital cockpit and the latest generation of infotainment systems (MIB3) as standard, the SUV coupe, measuring in at just under 4.26 metres, sets high technology standards in its class.

The expressive body shape is the first of its kind in the Volkswagen brand’s model portfolio. With a crossover body style and a silhouette like that of a coupé, the new Taigo – just like its Brazilian counterpart the Nivus – is perfectly equipped for winning over new, predominantly young and young-at-heart groups of buyers for Volkswagen.

The Taigo’s design is characterised by strong proportions, with the silhouette like that of a coupé being particularly striking with the C pillar slanting well forward. Inspired by SUV coupés in higher vehicle classes, this makes the Taigo unique in its sector.

On the inside, the Taigo scores with an elaborately designed multi-functional steering wheel and modern control elements as standard. The infotainment systems are based on the third generation of MIB3, including an online control unit (eSIM) and ‘App Connect Wireless’ (depending on the configuration). Features such as access to streaming services, natural voice control and cloud-based personalisation using ‘Volkswagen ID’ allow the use of the latest MIB3.1 services, depending on the configuration.

And when it comes to driver assistance for more comfort and safety, the new SUV coupé is very similar to Volkswagen models from higher sectors. Every Taigo will come with assistance systems such as the surroundings monitoring system ‘Front Assist’, including city emergency brake function, and the lane departure warning system ‘Lane Assist’ as standard. ‘IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist’ is available as an optional extra, enabling semi-automated driving up to a system-determined top speed of 130mph.

No details of European launch dates have yet been revealed.