After teasing us with an all-new SUV offering early in the year (it turned out just to be new colors for its T-Cross compact crossover), they’ve finally given us an all-new offering that’s more exciting than the Santana Cross. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the all-new Volkswagen Tharu.
Volkswagen Philippines touts the Tharu as a “global SUV” and showcases their “next-level SUV innovations.”
To whet appetites, they’ve shown that the first batch of units have rolled onto the Port of Batangas just last week. They’ve also confirmed that there will be two variants: the SE and the top-of-the-line SEL. It’ll also come in at least four colors: Pure White, Mangan Gray, Petroleum Blue, and Polytech Blue.
A closer inspection of the rear badging reveals the words, “300TSI.” This means that the local spec Tharu will use a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic. Based on China specs, it should make 160 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 250 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm. 0 to 100 km/h is done in about 9.7 seconds, while top speed is maxed at 200 km/h.
Both variants seem to get LED headlights and the new signature LED rear lighting with an illuminated Volkswagen logo.
Key visual differences the variants include 18-inch turbine-style wheels with red accents, a black roof with black roof rails, blacked out fender accents, and high-gloss black side view mirrors on the SEL. The SEL also looks to boast of front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera (based on the small notch poking out of the side mirrors) and a suite of advanced driver assist (based on the presence of the monocular camera on the windshield).
If the local Tharu SEL matches the fully-loaded variant in China, it should also come with automatic headlights with Volkswagen’s Matrix LED system, a panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch full digital LCD cluster, power front seats, and dual zone climate control with rear vents.
Volkswagen Philippines says the official launch of the Tharu is happening on September 29 so we will have more information by then.
1.6 Million up to 1.8 Million Peso price range for this SUV
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Volkswagen Philippines
That's ridiculous. Ford's gonna eat VW's lunch if ACM starts the pricing of the Tharu that high.
DeleteUnknown unproven Omoda will be beaten black and blue by the prestigous ford badge territory, and with the arrival of tharu...omoda already dead b4 it could even be launch
ReplyDeleteOmoda 5 is more affordable and safer than the Tharu SEL and Territory Titanium Plus.
DeleteTharu SE lacked ADAS.
The New Territory also has a 5-Star NCAP rating, a reasonably priced entry-level option, and a less polarizing look compared to the garish Omoda 5. It also has access to an already-established dealer network due to its Ford badge.
DeleteYeah, unproven, unknown omoda upon its arrival will be dead on its track, but i think with lots of established mainstream and chinese brands on its category its safe to say that its already dead b4 it can arrived. At least it has global ambition...🤣🤣🤣 dinaman bawal mangarap, kahit too much...
DeleteMasyado kang takot sa Omoda 5 at Chinese vehicles 😂
DeleteYou can't accept the fact that Omoda 5 scored 5 stars at Euro NCAP which is stricter than CNCAP at ASEAN NCAP 😂
Ford Philippines stopped aggressively marketing the Territory as the GAC Emkoo which is much cheaper and more reliable beaten it and to cover up Ford Territory buyers complaints about the defects of the vehicles they've bought according to its Facebook group.😂
Ohh old habits dont die...show us the sales data that emkoo beat territory or else you are spreading false info here again. How can emcoo beat territory if gac has not so many dealerships and not well known while ford is a well known prestigous brand for pnoy car buyers and has dealerships all over the country. Just look at the roads-many many ford territories you can see but emcoo wala pa ako nakita kahit 1🤣🤣🤣nagsisinungaling ka na naman🤥🤥🤥
DeleteWho's scared? I have no dog in this race, I was merely stating facts. If you're familiar with the parameters of both the C-NCAP and the Euro NCAP, you'll know that the China NCAP is a carbon copy of the Euro NCAP, with little to no difference between them. The Ford Territory will score the same if it goes on sale in that part of the world. The Territory also has a more mainstream look (inoffensive, albeit a bit vanilla) compared to the avant-garde styling (garishly vulgar, in my opinion) of the Omoda 5. Finally, the Territory also has access to the wide network of Ford dealers across the country. A potential threat to the Territory will be the Tharu, but only if it's priced to compete. Knowing the local VW distributor though, they might price the Tharu at a premium. They will also need to expand the local VW dealer network to reach more customers.
DeleteI like Volkswagens however, their reliability record is a deal breaker.
ReplyDeleteSo with there poor after sales service
ReplyDeleteVw tharu miles better than unproven omoda, but to be better safe than sorry and for unhindrance enjoyment of your car, enjoying road trips - go for yaris cross/corolla cross with ADAS, no head ache, easy to maintain, lots of dealerships, immediate parts availabilty, proven reliability/durability thru the decades
ReplyDeletePeople who mostly buy Volkswagen vehicles in the Philippines already owned a Japanese car.
DeleteThese people want something different that's why they try to buy and own a Volkswagen vehicle
Most T Cross buyers are executives and businessman.
Precisely. Most VW buyers aren't first-time car owners. Hence, they can afford to be more adventurous.
Deletebuy this if u want to wait 1yr for parts.
ReplyDeletegood brand, terrible dealerships.
One year waiting period for parts? Where did you get that from? I'm curious since I currently own a Passat, but I haven't had to order any parts for it yet outside of the typical PMS items. I'm mulling whether to keep or sell it depending on parts accessibility.
Delete100% fake information
DeleteNice try Toyota fan.
I had a Touareg, bought parts outside and negotiate to have it installed or wait for sometime. Kept closing down service centers. Touareg is a very nice suv however AC’s selection no lumbar support on the front seats, shows lack of knowledge about cars despite costing Php 4.2m.
DeleteThe real fake news was when someone here said that vw t cross was selling well, then it turned out that t cross sold only 5 units monthly. Na ban nga for spreading fake news here 🤣🤣🤣 but now bumalik thru the backdoor and nagsabi naman na tcci trailblazer were selling very well. Old habits dont die...
DeleteWith the young ayala scion now directly managing AC motors, maybe we can fairly assume that vw ph has bright days ahead. Bringing gobal model tharu here is nice good move
ReplyDeleteThese Ayalas are DEFINITELY not auto aficionados, judging by how they're running VW, Kia.
ReplyDeleteAyala had a change of management recently if you're not aware so let's see if they will improve. Tharu coming in is a good sign
DeleteMaybe Gulf stream jets and luxury yachts afficionados.
DeleteThey already did bring in high performance Kia and Volkswagen vehicles in the Philippines but those vehicles didn't sell very well and mostly sold only in lowly 10 to 30 units per model unit.
DeleteVolkswagen and Kia are mass market car brands.
Rumored estimated prices of Tharu SE and SEL are around 1.8 Million up to 2 Million Pesos
ReplyDeleteNot bad!
Volkswagen Philippines should release the Lavida XR Sedan based on the Virtus as its more affordable mass market vehicle.
You're right! It's not bad, it's VERY BAD!
DeleteVolkswagen vehicles tend to be more expensive but at least this one looks better and loaded with new tech features.
DeleteKudus to VW phils. They never give up. Thats the spirit. Even if their automobiles just dont cut it here. For exampleI i feel sorry for the Tcross--its demise happened too soon. Didnt even made a flimsy dent in the market. Let alone among the chinese cars.
ReplyDeleteT Cross is still on sale and available in the Philippine market.It'll be sold together with the Tharu.
DeleteT Cross is currently the lone brand new vehicle on sale at 7 Volkswagen dealerships in the Philippines and its currently the entry level Volkswagen vehicle in the local market as the stocks of 2021 Santana are depleted.
Volkswagen Philippines won't rely solely on Tharu as the price of it is near the Azkarra,CX30,Crosstrek,Trailblazer and Trax.
VW had so many dealers before and now just a handful what does it mean? Your guess is as good as mine.
ReplyDeleteJust have a look at the local sales figures of Volkswagen, it'll tell you everything you need to know.
DeleteAC Motors reduced it as they've turned into a small niche brand now with only one brand new vehicle on sale in its lineup
DeleteLeases for Alabang,Quezon Avenue and Laguna showrooms aren't renewed anymore to save costs
There are plans to open mini sales outlets at malls