2023 Volkswagen Taigun now gets new trims, colors, and special editions 

The Volkswagen Taigun will soon offer its 1.5 TSI manual engine in top-spec GT Plus trim, and the 1.5 TSI DSG in the lesser GT trim, taking the total number of 1.5 TSI variants up to four, and these new variants will go on sale from June 2023.

Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI engine, gearbox
The Taigun at launch, offered buyers a strong 150hp, 250Nm 1.5 turbo-petrol engine in both manual and automatic guises. However, the manual only came in a lower GT trim, while the DSG automatic came in only the top-spec GT Plus trim. With both trims now getting a manual and DSG, Volkswagen has widened the appeal and availability of the performance-oriented Taigun 1.5 TSI.

The Volkswagen Virtus also gets this engine on the GT Plus trim, albeit only with the DSG gearbox thus far. Now, it also gets the option of the 6-speed manual gearbox.

Volkswagen Taigun gets new colours and editions
Apart from the new variants, the carmaker has also introduced the 'GT Edge Limited Collection', which brings two new paint schemes to the top-spec 1.5 GT Plus – Deep Black Pearl and Carbon Steel Matte.

For the lesser GT trim, there are two new editions called the Trail Concept and Sport Concept. The Trail Concept (showcased in white) gets rugged decals on its rear three quarters of the SUV, and a roof rack and alloys finished in black. The Sport Concept, on the other hand, gets chequered flag-inspired decals on the bottom half of the doors and rear fender, and TSI sticker on the rear doors. Expect more editions for the lesser 1.0 TSI variants further down the line.

Additionally, all variants of the Taigun will get the Lava Blue paint shade previously offered on the larger Tiguan, as has been introduced on the Virtus. All these changes serve to spruce up the Volkswagen Taigun in the face of stiff competition, some of which are just around the corner, like the new Honda SUV, the Tata Curvv and facelifts for the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta. It will get no more mechanical updates for the rest of its current generation, in terms of engines, gearboxes or electrification, so it's updates like these that will keep the model fresh.

Volkswagen Taigun price and rivals
Currently, the Taigun GT manual is priced at Rs 16.26 lakh and the GT Plus DSG is priced at Rs 19.06 lakh, both ex-showroom, India. Expect the GT DSG trim to carry a slight premium over the manual and the GT Plus manual to be slightly more affordable than the DSG variant. The VW Taigun, since launch, has proven extremely successful for Volkswagen, retailing around 2,000 units per month on average.

The Taigun competes with the likes of the Skoda Kushaq, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the MG Astor.