[blackwasp]

The Volkswagen Taigun has completed one year since its launch in India. To celebrate this milestone, Volkswagen has launched the Taigun 1st Anniversary Edition (related news). The German carmaker invited the media for a mini track day which was organized at the Aamby Valley Air Strip to showcase the car. The timing of the event couldn't have been any better as the Taigun and Skoda Kushaq recently received 5-star ratings in the updated Global NCAP crash tests.



Since the Volkswagen Taigun has already been reviewed by Team-BHP, this report will only focus on changes made to the 1st Anniversary Edition. To read the full official review, click here.

So, what's new on the outside?

The 1st Anniversary Edition is identical to the regular car save for a few cosmetic changes. One will appreciate the classic Volkswagen styling lines which make the design feel timeless:


At the back, there have been no changes made to the car. The horizontal elements make the car appear well-planted:


The 1st Anniversary Edition of the Taigun is available only in the Dynamic Line, Topline variant that is offered on the 1.0 TSI MT & AT:


This 'Rising Blue' paint shade has been introduced with the 1st Anniversary Edition. Other paint options for this edition car include Curcuma Yellow and Wild Cherry Red:


The smaller dimensions of the Taigun mean that it lacks street cred compared to rivals like the Creta and Seltos. It is not restricted to sub-4 meters, which means that the bumpers are functional and not for show. See the blue-coloured garnish on the door cladding at the bottom? It's exclusive to the 1st Anniversary Edition:


While there have been no cosmetic changes up front, the fog lamps have been upgraded to offer better brightness:


Further, you get black ORVM covers and window visors:


The fender badge gets '1st' lettering with a nice design:


All doors come with edge protectors:


C-pillar decal consists of hexagonal elements that reduce in size towards the rear. The elements at the top and bottom are aligned with the window lines:


The black roof is being offered only on the Performance Line. Now, the 1st Anniversary Edition (Dynamic Line) also gets a black roof, albeit a wrap done at dealer level:

So, what's new on the inside?

The car gets the same interiors with minor cosmetic changes:


The steering wheel gets a '1st' badge at the bottom:


We were told that Volkswagen will soon be offering ventilated seats on the 1.5L engine variants as well. The differences in the kit between the manual and automatic variants would be sorted out as well. For instance, the AT gets a perforated leather steering wheel cover, but MT doesn't:


Aluminium pedals from the GT Plus variant on the 1.5 DSG are offered on the AT variant of the 1st Anniversary Edition:

Driving the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5L Turbo Petrol

While the 1st Anniversary Edition is offered only with the 1.0 TSI, VW had arranged 1.5 TSI cars for the driving part. First up was the Speed Run. The instructor took us around the course and then, we were asked to drive the cars. This is at the start of the challenge:


The speed run saw the car go up to 155 km/h. Post that, we had to slow down and head to the next obstacle. We'd barely used half of the Aamby Valley Airstrip and it felt that the car could go further, but the organizers had erred on the side of caution:


Next up was the slalom course. Quick direction changes from right to left, right, then left again, and finally, stop on the right side. The trick here was to keep the steering motion consistent and not overdo it. Keeping the car as close to the yellow cone on the inside helps:


For the moose test that followed, we were asked to speed up to 60 km/h and then swerve right and then left. The car was supposed to be kept inside the marked yellow cones. This was fun and we saw many cones being displaced. Even though the car was able to do this test at 60 km/h, I kept my speed at ~50 km/h:


The best part of the track experience was saved for the last. A small autocross track was laid out with cones and it was great fun. We had to first go once to familiarise ourselves with the track, followed by 2 attempts on the clock. My first run was in the 1.5 DSG driving in S mode. This was a very tight track layout, which meant there was constant on & off throttle action. Off throttle, there was a slight lag which slowed down the overall pace. For my second attempt, I went for the MT and it was a lot better in terms of throttle control. The whole course was taken in 2nd gear and I was easily able to shave ~4-5 seconds off my time in the DSG:


Here are some images of the cars on track (courtesy Volkswagen's photographers):

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[pavi]

Somehow the additions look better in Taigun when compared to Kushaq. The black additions on the blue shade looks subtle, not sure of other shades. But the '1st' badge on the steering wheel seems like a bad place to look at. May be the white colour on the lettering needs to be changed to bronze metal or something like that which does not 'stand out (of place)'.

[Dr ST]

The blue one looks great. This is just the beginning. Many more CUP and NON-CUP EDITIONS to follow.

[1.2TSI7DSG]

VW should organize a VW cup to spot the differences.

Jokes apart, the blue shade looks sexy. I am just waiting for it to be offered in the GT editions. These mods bring foot fall to the showroom. Other than that VW should feel good bout the success of the CSUV twins.

[84.monsoon]

Not sure I understand the logic of offering the first anniversary edition only on the 1.0 and not on the 1.5! Shouldn't the anniversary edition showcase the best of what the car has to offer? One of the best things about the Taigun is the powerful 1.5TSI and the fast DSG gearbox. Don't see the logic in not offering these on an anniversary edition!

I know the purpose is to increase sales ultimately and the volumes will come from the 1.0 as that is what most customers want. Still, they least they could have done is offered this deadly blue shade on the 1.5s as well.

[sainyamk95]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

Not sure I understand the logic of offering the first anniversary edition only on the 1.0 and not on the 1.5!

Maybe it's because the model has completed 1(.0) year and not 1.5; watch out for the "1.5" edition after 6 months

Jokes apart, the updates are subtle (for now) and look decent. Definitely hope to see the bigger engine available in that beautiful blue soon!

[sunikkat]

Shows the confidence of VW, on their crossover. Not sure how many cross overs or for that matter sedans in our market can / will do a mini track day like this. Good going VW.
Events like this definitely create interest among enthusiats. And feather on the cap is boasting that 5 stars

[lordrayden]

For me its a mixed bag.

The color looks amazing and I would say the alloy wheels are one of best looking among all of VW's current cars in India.

On the downside, the "1st" badging is very tacky. It reminds me of those one-word comments on YouTube videos indicating theirs is the first comment . Oh, and what's that rash the Taigun has on the C-pillar? Is it scabies? Is it eczema?

[PreludeSH]

VW have become energized with the safety ratings

They should have added a panoramic roof. I heard from many sales people at different brands that customers enquire about it a lot when paying an amount close to 20 lakhs !

I am not a fan of the continuous light strip joining the rear lights. It makes the rear looks small. Helps only big vehicles to look tight. Even the Venue looks bad with such a arrangement.

[Latheesh]

Changes are subtle but the event is grand! What is the total cost for this special anniversary additions, 500 Rupees?

Originally Posted by PreludeSH

I am not a fan of the continuous light strip joining the rear lights. It makes the rear looks small. Helps only big vehicles to look tight. Even the Venue looks bad with such a arrangement.

It looks good on Venue, isn't it? Rear design was too plain and boring earlier.

[Vipin Kumar]

Originally Posted by blackwasp

We were told that Volkswagen will soon be offering ventilated seats on the 1.5L engine variants as well. The differences in the kit between the manual and automatic variants would be sorted out as well. For instance, the AT gets a perforated leather steering wheel cover, but MT doesn't:
Attachment 2373002

While offering, VW should include 1.5 TSI MT also. With ventilated seats, it should also get projector headlamps, 17 inch alloys and cruise control. Otherwise, an all new manual variant is possible there -- there is space to place such a variant, I suppose.

Anybody who wants to have a 1.5 TSI MT from VW has only one choice, that too without most features. And Virtus has not offered this combo at all!

[TusharK]

Volkswagen discontinues the Taigun Anniversary Edition

Volkswagen has delisted the Taigun Anniversary Edition from its official website. The move comes following the introduction of the Taigun GT Limited Collection.



The Taigun Anniversary Edition was launched in September last year to celebrate the model's first anniversary in India. The SUV was based on the Topline variant and came equipped with fog lamps, body-coloured door trim, aluminium pedals, door-edge protectors, window visors, blacked-out rood and ORVMs and '1st Anniversary Edition' badges.



The Taigun Anniversary Edition was offered with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. This unit develops 114 BHP and 178 Nm and is offered with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.



The Taigun GT Edge Limited Collection will be available from June 2023. The car comes with special exterior colours, including Carbon Steel Grey – Matte with red accents and Deep Pearl Black. It gets special badges, aluminium pedals, Wild Cherry Red interior stitching and red ambient lighting.