Audi has just rolled out its 2020 e-tron Sportback, their second fully-electric model. It’s one of those coupe SUV things that are very popular in some quarters. And if the growing popularity of EVs continues, the 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback could be coming for Elon’s lunch money.
The 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback is a smaller, swoopier version of the e-tron SUV I had occasion to drive in Scottsdale, Arizona last year. If it behaves anything like that (and I have every expectation it will), the e-tron Sportback will be much faster than you expect. It will also be very German, very well-made, rather luxurious, and about as engaging as a can opener, the surprising acceleration aside.
I have no idea what mainstream automakers need to do to make a gearhead say, “Man that was a blast! I’ve got to get me one of these!” about an EV. Hopefully, they’ll figure it out, because we’ve got to stop poisoning this planet but we also need to have fun rides.
Anyway, so what does the 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback bring to the table? Let’s take a look.
Connectivity & Cockpit Technology
Besides all that SUV-coupe-like styling, which Audi goes into great detail about (they say it combines the “functionality of a spacious SUV with the elegance of a four-door coupe,” and on and on they go), it does have some practical stuff. For example, the 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback has room for five and lots of luggage space. Along with the sunroof is the Audi MMI touch response system to control seemingly everything inside.
Since this is an EV, the Sportback features a detailed map estimating where and how far you can travel on the current charge. If you’re going for a long trip, the MMI system suggests charging stations along the route, which is something Tesla already does, but it’s nice to see others adopting the idea.
There’s an e-tron-specific virtual cockpit display that provides charging, battery, route, and other information in the driver’s line of sight, directly behind the steering wheel where the traditional gauge cluster lives. The e-tron Sportback also has Amazon Alexa combined with an active Audi connect PRIME subscription. This way you can access news, music, audiobooks, and control Alexa-enabled devices directly from the steering wheel.
Audi calls that last bit vehicle-to-infrastructure (or V2I) technology. Pay attention to that term as you’ll probably be seeing more of it in the future.
2020 Audi e-tron Sportback interior layout. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Chassis, Battery Capacity & Power Output
The real meat in the sandwich is the electronic drivetrain and how it works. There is an asynchronous electric motor at both axles, which makes for a pretty easy opportunity for an electric version of Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system. An Audi-developed battery system (95 kWh total capacity) sits low in the vehicle within a protective honeycomb structure. All of the heaviest components are concentrated in the middle for a lower center of gravity, 50:50 weight distribution, and responsive yet neutral steering.
The e-tron Sportback achieves 355 horsepower, but you can kick the thing into “Boost Mode” to increases the output to 402 horsepower! With Boost Mode, you can reach 60 in 5.5 seconds. However, don’t try racing a Tesla Model X. With Ludicrous Mode engaged, the Model X hits 60 in 2.6 seconds.
2020 Audi e-tron Sportback on the open road. Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
Charging Times of the 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback
Charging is one of the big bug-a-boos for EVs, but Audi seems to get ahead of the power curve in this arena. Audi says just 10 minutes on a high-speed public charger will give the e-tron Sportback 58 miles, or an hour of drive time. Stop just 30 minutes for lunch, and the range expands to 174 miles, or about three hours of drive time according to Audi.
The e-tron Sportback has what Audi calls a “flexible thermal management system,” allowing for 150 kW rapid-charging capability with a high-speed commercial charger. Four separate circuits comprise the thermal management system to regulate the temperature of the high-voltage components.
Total EPA-estimated range is 218 miles with ratings of 76/78/77 (city/highway/combined) MPGe.
Photo: Audi of America, Inc.
2020 Audi e-tron Sportback: Pricing & Availability
With a starting price of $77,400 (before the $7,500 tax credit), the 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback looks like it could pull away potential Tesla Model X buyers. Starting MSRP for the Model X is around $85,000. We compared an Audi and a Tesla last year as part of a virtual showdown. We might have to do it again!
Expect the e-tron Sportback at Audi dealerships this summer.
Limited Edition One Model
These U.S. Launch Edition units come in a Plasma blue metallic paint with Dynamic orange brake calipers. Monaco Gray Valcona leather seats, two-tone stitched dash, and black headliner are standard. Edition One puddle lamps cast a logo onto the ground beneath the driver and passenger door, just because.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Luxury vehicle leasing isn’t difficult, but there are some things to consider.
Leasing can be a great option if you are looking to drive a higher-end car.
Cole McKeon, the editor of Below Invoice, shares some helpful tips and advice.
Leasing a luxury vehicle offers you the pleasure of driving a high-end car without the commitments or some of the costs that come with purchasing. In this guide, we explore the basics of luxury vehicle leasing and what you need to know beforehand.
What Is Leasing?
Leasing is essentially borrowing a vehicle for a length of time, typically three years or less, in exchange for a monthly fee. Some agreements include the option to purchase the vehicle at the end of that period.
Depending on your circumstances, a lease may be the best option, whether that is because you are working far from home and flying frequently, or because you want the joy of driving a new car for less. This holds true, especially for luxury vehicles. After all, why would you buy a traditional sedan for almost $400 per month, when you can lease a luxurious BMW 320i for a little more than $300 per month?
By leasing, you can still fulfill the commonly-held dream of driving a new luxury car (PDF), while paying less than you would for a lower-end model. Below are questions and answers that can help you make sense of luxury vehicle leasing.
Is Leasing The Best Option For Me?
Before taking the plunge and signing the papers, ask yourself these questions. Considering these beforehand can help you make the best decision.
Are you planning to keep the vehicle for a maximum of three years?
Do you keep your vehicles in excellent condition inside and out?
As mentioned above, one of the most significant advantages of leasing comes with a luxury vehicle. The monthly payments are usually lower than when financing, which can make luxury vehicles more attainable for consumers.
Lease payments are based on the vehicle’s depreciation during the period for which you borrow it, rather than on the value of the car. This can be particularly helpful, considering the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for millions of Americans.
Another advantage is that leased luxury vehicles are still under the factory warranty. Unless something drastic happens, the car will only need the standard maintenance required by the terms of the warranty.
Leasing can be a more affordable way to obtain a luxury vehicle.
What Are The Disadvantages?
One of the disadvantages of luxury vehicle leasing is that, after three years of monthly payments, as well as the effort of keeping the car in good condition, you must return it.
Another disadvantage, especially for people who lease several luxury vehicles during their lives rather than purchasing one and making several trade-ins, is the amount of money spent. You could end up spending more money over time than someone who finances a vehicle to acquire it.
How Much Does Leasing a Luxury Car Cost?
The cost of leasing a luxury vehicle depends mainly on you. The bigger the sum you put down when you lease the car, the lower the monthly payments. If you accept a zero-down offer, you can expect much higher monthly payments. You also need to remember that, before approving your lease, the dealership will check your credit score and payment history.
Is a Leased Vehicle Deposit Refundable?
Whether the deposit you pay when leasing a luxury vehicle is refundable depends on the terms and conditions of the lease. Generally speaking, deposits are refundable once the lease has been concluded. Some agreements state that deposits are not refundable. Make sure you read the fine print before signing any papers.
Make sure to read the fine print before signing any papers and taking the keys.
Is Maintenance Included In The Lease?
Standard lease agreements for luxury vehicles include regular maintenance and servicing. This usually includes, but may not be limited to, tune-ups and the changing of filters, oil, and other fluids. You should not need to pay anything extra for standard maintenance of the vehicle during the lease period. However, this can vary, so again, be sure to read the fine print.
What Documents Are Required?
If you decide to lease a luxury vehicle, you generally will need to take various documents and certified copies thereof to the dealership. However, due to COVID-19 lockdown regulations, some dealerships may send someone to collect your documents and to deliver the car. In most cases, the following documents are required:
Insurance card.
Proof of residence.
Valid driver’s license.
Your two most recent pay stubs.
Trade documents such as registration forms.
List of references (this cannot include members of your household).
What Terms Should I Know About?
There are several terms in most luxury car lease agreements that you need to understand. They include:
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: The full cost of the new car is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, or commonly referred to as the MSRP. You may be able to negotiate a lower price (and you should try).
Capitalized Cost: Also known as the lease price, it is the base price negotiated down from the MSRP.
Depreciation: The vehicle’s decrease in value during the period for which you lease it. This is a crucial factor in calculating monthly payments.
Residual Value: The luxury vehicle’s wholesale value once the lease is concluded.
Lease Rate: The interest rate is also known as the lease rate or the money factor.
Mileage Allowance: The maximum number of miles for which you can drive the car in a year. In most leases, this ranges between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. You will be subject to a fee if you exceed the limit.
Penalties and Charges: In most leases, penalties, and charges are imposed for late payments of the monthly lease fee, terminating the contract early, and unreasonable wear-and-tear.
Will COVID-19 Affect My Lease?
As many car manufacturers have been closed for extended periods, they are behind on orders and have suffered dramatically from COVID-19 lockdowns. New luxury cars may be in short supply for a while as they try to catch up and meet demand. This means if you were near the end of your lease, you might not be able to get your new car as expected.
Leasing companies may offer you the option of extending your current lease, which benefits them financially. However, it also allows you to renegotiate your monthly contractual payment, as the terms of the contract will change. In the future, we may well see more and more people opt to lease cars rather than buy, as they feature lower out-of-pocket costs better suited to a struggling economy.
You should do your best to return your leased luxury vehicle in as good a condition as possible. In normal circumstances, you would return it to the leasing agency or dealership from which you leased it. However, most leases let you return the car to a different branch of the agency or another authorized dealership for the vehicle brand.
Returning a leased luxury vehicle during lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be difficult if companies are closed or operating remotely. Most likely, you’d need to discuss the return of a vehicle and consider signing an extended lease until operations resume as normal. It’s best to contact the dealership or agency for further information, as they may assess returns on a case-by-case basis.
Luxury Vehicle Leasing Is a Fraction of The Cost
At the end of the day, leasing lets you drive a luxury car at a much lower price than if you were to buy it. It also reduces your potential maintenance costs and allows you to trade-in for a brand new vehicle every few years.
While COVID-19 may briefly impact the availability of new cars, it looks like the leasing industry may well benefit as people look for more cost-effective ways of driving what they want, rather than what they can afford to finance or buy.
Cole McKeon is the editor at Below Invoice, a luxury auto broker located just outside of Los Angeles, CA., were they streamline the luxury vehicle acquisition process by providing a comprehensive suite of services.
Certain bikes tend to attract formulaic builds. And when it comes to customizing, BMW airheads in particular tread a well-worn path. But a handful of workshops like to stretch boxer builds into new directions, and one of those shops is Titan.
You may remember Titan for their magnificent ‘Bavarian’ BMW R50/3 bobber from three years ago, which looked as good as any official BMW concept. And now they’re back with an R75/6 with a steampunk vibe, a beautiful bronzed frame, and girder-style forks.
Titan is based in Graz, Austria, and run by Michael Siebenhofer and Thanh Ho Ngo. Michael works on the design, building and engineering, while Ho helps out on design duties, marketing and running the workshop.
“After the wonderful ‘Bavarian’ it was time for another bobber,” says Michael. “We don’t build the same bike twice: everything has to be unique. So Ho came up with a design that follows the lines of the Bavarian. It’s a homage to the industrial era and Bauhaus architecture, a celebration of mechanics and gears.”
Titan were invited to exhibit a pair bikes at the Monaco Yacht Show, so ‘The Arkitekt’ became one of two machines built side by side.
Michael tore the R75 engine apart and installed a Siebenrock 1000cc Power kit—which includes Nikasil coated cylinders, lightweight forged pistons, and new gudgeon pins. It shouldn’t be difficult to spin up the vintage Avon Safety Mileage MkII rear tire.
A Silent Hektik electronic ignition keeps the hotrodded motor running smooth, and to cope with the increased thermal loading, Michael has also installed a bigger oil pan. The breathing is improved too, with pod filters at the intake end and a stubby custom-made exhaust system.
A completely new electrical system is now controlled by an Axel Joost ‘Elektronikbox.’ This is hooked up to a speedo and switchgear from Motogadget, a 4½-inch Bates-style headlight, and tiny Kellermann LED blinkers.
The star turn on this machine, though, is the bronzed finishing on the frame and tank.
“Cleaning the frame, getting it tidy and neat so it could be galvanized and brassed to get a burnished ‘vintage’ look was one of the hardest parts,” says Michael.
This sort of finish takes a ton of work, but it was worth it. And the effect has been carried over to the forks too.
Ho designed the matching tank, which was turned into metal by regular Titan collaborator Bernhard Naumann of Blechmann. The stunning paint job was entrusted to local spray wizard Wolfgang Kuzma of i-flow.
Blechmann also helped with many of the exquisite smaller metalwork details, while Michael tackled the heavier engineering work of adapting the front wheel to a perimeter-style brake system taken from a Buell XB12S.
Ho designed the classic bobber-style leaf sprung seat, which was upholstered in sturgeon leather. Yes, leather from a sturgeon—the fish known for its caviar. And very fine it looks too.
The whole machine is crammed with unusual details like this. Which makes it a refreshingly creative approach, in a custom world full of cookie-cutter airheads.
Infiniti is releasing a small collection of “Carigami” models to help everyone discover their artistic side while staying home. The models are 1:27 the scale and can be construed at home with a printer, some paper, craft knife, and glue.
“In this unprecedented time where citizens of the world are doing their part to fight COVID-19 by staying at home, we wanted to develop something that will help ease the boredom, while having a bit of fun,” said Phil York, General Manager of Infiniti Global Brand and Marketing.
The first Carigami model is the Q50, with other Infiniti vehicles expected in the near future. Artists and enthusiasts are encouraged to upload images of their efforts to social media with the hashtags #ParkitforNow #Carigami.
Our colleagues and contemporaries in the automotive press hold the 2020 VW Tiguan in higher esteem than we do. We wouldn't say the Tiguan is a dud - it's not - but for whatever reason, it just didn't sit right with us. Granted, we had a trim level with 20-inch wheels, so maybe that was to blame for the lackluster ride? After a week-long drive, and considering the number of other choices on the market, we recommend shopping around before buying a Tiguan.
Exterior Styling
91
Interior Layout
70
Driving Dynamics
46
Safety & Tech Features
90
Everyday Functionality
85
Pros
Fuel Economy
Safety Features
Stylish & Sporty
Cons
Road & Wind Noise
Uncomfortable Seats
Engine Prone to "Lurching"
76
The 2020 VW Tiguan has some endearing qualities, but unfortunately for the Tiguan, the pendulum will swing back the other way. During our week-long drive with the 2020 VW Tiguan, some of what we liked also ended up getting on our nerves.
A combination of two words, tiger and leguan (meaning “iguana” in German), the Tiguan is a beast of a different nature. Here is how our test drive went.
VW Tiguan: What’s New For 2020?
Every Tiguan comes with VW’s Car-Net telematics system and on-board Wi-Fi. Wireless charging is available, starting on the SE trim. SEL models receive a heated steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and rain-sensing wipers.
The new SE R-Line Black features 20-inch black aluminum-alloy wheels, black-accented R-Line bumpers and badging, fog lights, and a panoramic sunroof, among other features.
Optional 3rd Row & All-Wheel Drive
The 2020 Tiguan with front-wheel drive receives a third-row standard. With 4Motion all-wheel drive, the Tiguan is standard with two rows, but a third row is optional.
Our 2020 VW Tiguan press vehicle near some new development in Plymouth, Michigan.
Our 2020 VW Tiguan Press Vehicle
The Tiguan comes in five trim levels: S, SE, SE R-Line Black, SEL, and SEL Premium R-Line. Our press vehicle was an SEL Premium R-Line with 4Motion and a 2.0-liter turbo engine.
The 20-inch wheels caught our eye right away, along with the R-Line-specific bumpers, badges, and other exterior trim. Our Tiguan press vehicle was quite a looker!
VW divides up the window sticker like this (photo below). Exterior includes Automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights; halogen front fog lights with low-speed cornering lights; rain-sensing wipers with heated washer nozzles; a heated front wiper area on the lower portion of the windshield; and a panoramic sunroof.
Interior includes dual-zone automatic climate control; second-row air vents; heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel; heated leather seats; 10-way power adjustments, including lumbar support, for the driver; illuminated and carpeted cargo area with tie-down hooks, 12V power port, and privacy cover; and ambient lighting among other features.
Some Nice Extras!
The Technology & Convenience package has a number of useful, fun, and otherwise nifty things. Among our favorites are the Overhead View Camera; remote start; hands-free liftgate; wireless charging; Bluetooth connectivity; and a Fender premium audio system.
Safety features are a strong point for the 2020 Tiguan, and our press vehicle was no exception. From the factory, the 2020 Tiguan provides six standard airbags; anti-lock brakes; electronic stability control; Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children (LATCH), and VW’s Intelligent Crash Response System.
In the aforementioned Technology & Convenience package are adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, and lane-keeping assist, among others.
How Much Does The 2020 VW Tiguan Cost?
Base price for our 2020 VW Tiguan 2.0T SEL Premium R-Line with 4Motion was $38,795. There was an additional charge for the third row ($595), while the destination fee was another $1,020. Add it up for a total MSRP of $40,410.
By comparison, the 2020 VW Tiguan starts at $24,945.
Window sticker of our 2020 VW Tiguan press vehicle.
Interior Highlights: Initial Impressions
Our 2020 VW Tiguan press vehicle felt spartan, despite having niceties like heated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and navigation. The spartan-like feel might have more to do with the specific trim level of our press vehicle, versus the entire Tiguan line itself. Our Tiguan was an SEL Premium R-Line, which gives the vehicle a larger set of 20-inch wheels. Some may feel a difference in ride quality with those wheels, and indeed we felt it was rougher.
As we said at the beginning, some of what endears the Tiguan also cuts it short. Drivers who like a more rugged SUV will enjoy the interior layout and the overall feel of the SEL Premium R-Line. The drawback, however, is the lack of comfort this trim level provides when the miles add up. The seats are not very accommodating for long trips, and the interior lets in a lot of road and engine noise.
After about an hour behind the wheel, we were uncomfortable as were our passengers. If you can live without the extra features and treatments the SEL Premium R-Line provides, go for a lower trim level. We would be curious to see how the smaller 17-inch wheels ride on the SE trim level.
2020 VW Tiguan interior layout.
Interior Highlights: No Rhyme or Reason
The odd combo button for the driver’s side heated seat and steering wheel makes little sense to us. While it might have been user error, we could not turn one on independent of the other. Based on our experience, the button on the lower right side of the center stack turns on the heated seats and steering wheel at the same time. Then you move to the eight-inch touchscreen to set the heat level for the seats or turn off the steering wheel if you only want the heated seats on (or vice versa).
Some of the menus and displays within the eight-inch touchscreen are similar and left us scratching our heads. At times, things just seem unnecessarily complicated.
For example, we dim our interior lights at night, as that is the best practice for safety. Most vehicles have a dial or button for this just to the left of the steering wheel. Drivers should be able to reach over quickly and do this, no problem.
With our Tiguan press vehicle, the interior brightness settings were in a separate menu on the eight-inch touchscreen. That menu is unavailable while moving. We had to pull over to dim our lights down inside. While this is not exactly a deal-breaker, be prepared for quirky little things like this with the Tiguan. If you are driving and the sun goes down, you will need to find a rest stop before you can dim the interior lights.
One thing we did enjoy was the information display just ahead of the steering wheel. We configured it so we could see the compass (directly in the middle), digital speedometer, remaining fuel, and current mpg. At times, we would switch the compass out for the navigation map. Through the eight-inch touchscreen, drivers have the option to configure this center instrument display to their liking.
The Fender Premium Audio System is a nice compliment to the Tiguan. As I often do when I drive, I tuned to Watercolors (SiriusXM 66). It’s pretty hard to go wrong with anything Fender, from guitars to stereos. It’s an excellent choice on VW’s part.
For a family on the go, the new Tiguan is versatile and offers plenty of storage space for book bags, sports gear, and anything else you can think of for weekend outings. In the two-row Tiguan, there is 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.5 cubic feet when folded. By comparison, our three-row Tiguan had 33 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to 65.7 cubic feet when folded.
With everything in place, there is still 12 cubic feet behind the third row.
2020 VW Tiguan: Engine & Powertrain
Under the hood of every Tiguan is a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with direct injection. The engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic with Tiptronic, creates 184 horsepower (4,400 rpm) and 221 lb-ft. of torque (1,600 to 4,360 rpm).
VW employs what is known as the Budack cycle for the 2.0-liter engine. The automaker describes it as an innovative modification to the conventional four-stroke cycle for a better combination of power, efficiency, and responsiveness. Based on our week-long test drive, we would beg to differ on two of these points. While we agree with the efficiency part, the engine is neither powerful or responsive.
Gas Mileage of The 2020 VW Tiguan
2020 VW Tiguan Fuel Economy
Drivetrain
City/Highway
Combined
2.0-liter FWD
22/29
25
2.0-liter AWD
20/27
23
The blue italics in the above chart denote the engine and drivetrain of our 2020 Tiguan press vehicle.
We logged just shy of 186 miles during the week we had our 2020 VW Tiguan. Most of the driving was done in the smaller communities surrounding the Detroit area, so our speeds were rarely above 45 mph. However, we did take jaunts down M-10, I-94, and I-96 to get to those towns.
The combined rating for our press vehicle is 23 mpg. However, we averaged 26.2 for the week, ahead of the EPA rating. We believe the Tiguan’s start-stop function made a significant difference.
Screenshot of the center display before turning our 2020 VW Tiguan press vehicle in.
How Does The 2020 VW Tiguan Drive?
This is a tough one for me. No automotive professional should deliberately hammer a press a vehicle given to them, on loan, by an automaker. With the Tiguan, I wonder if driving a different trim level without the 20-inch wheels would make a difference? I would be curious to see.
The first time I drove our Tiguan press vehicle, it was not a pleasant experience. I imagined being a prospective customer taking it on a test drive for the first time. It didn’t sell me, and made me question what long-term ownership would look like. On my first drive, it was hard to get comfortable; it was noisy and underpowered; shaky in the wind when a gust would come up; and generally hard to maneuver at higher speeds.
It was not the best first impression.
Structurally speaking, the 2020 VW Tiguan rides on a one-piece steel subframe and a strut-type front suspension with lower control arms and long-travel coil springs. The 2020 Tiguan uses an electro-mechanical power steering system as well. These types of steering systems are common today. They are designed to “tighten” at higher speeds, then “loosen” (for lack of better words) at lower speeds. When done correctly, a vehicle should feel more stable on the highway, yet also easier to maneuver when putzing around town.
There is nothing on the spec sheet that jumps out as abnormal when it comes to the chassis and steering. So it makes me wonder if the 20-inch wheels are the culprit on ride quality?
Lethargic & Lacks Refinement
However, the 20-inch wheels cannot be blamed for everything. When cruising around, especially between 15 and 35 mph, the powertrain makes things rough. We drove through Plymouth, Michigan, a town of around 9,000 about 25 miles from the Detroit metro. Speed limits in Plymouth, as with most small towns, are lower than big cites. In these low-speed environments, the Tiguan’s steering is responsive, but that is quickly overshadowed.
We would turn a corner and then let off the gas – usually because another light, pedestrian, or car was right there – and our Tiguan press vehicle would lurch. It feels like a premature engine brake, or like an invisible hand is pushing back against the hood. Whatever it is, our passengers felt it and it displeased them. This lurching never corrected itself during our week-long drive either. If we lived in Small Town America, where much of the driving is local and slower, we would not buy the 2020 VW Tiguan.
Acceleration from a stop is adequate, but most times, throttle response is completely lethargic. While a driver can get lucky and feel some spark, it’s rare. Turbo lag is evident and the 2.0-liter engine sounds exhausted under throttle, especially up a hill.
By contrast, the braking force of the 2020 Tiguan is excellent. The thing stops on a dime with its 13.4-inch vented discs up front and the 11.8-inch solid discs at the rear.
2020 VW Tiguan.
Should You Buy a 2020 VW Tiguan?
As noted earlier, the endearing things about this trim level of the Tiguan are also its drawbacks. The SEL Premium R-Line is rugged, and that has its allure, but not on long road trips. The 20-inch wheels look cool, but they might detract from the ride quality.
We believe there are far too many issues with driveability for the 2020 VW Tiguan to be a viable option. Admittedly, we are probably in the minority as the Tiguan is VW’s biggest seller in the United States and most reviews on the vehicle are positive.
Regardless we stand by our experience and our assessment. Before you sign the paperwork for a new Tiguan, we recommend taking the Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-5, or Nissan Rogue for a test drive first.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Society of Automotive Historians. He serves on the board of directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, is a past president of Detroit Working Writers, and a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
Customizing your own bike is a one-way ticket down a very deep rabbit hole. Make just one change, and soon you’ll have a head full of ideas and a project that’s snowballing fast. That’s what happened with this KTM 950 Supermoto—where a simple wheel and suspension swap turned into a full-blown hooligan flat tracker conversion.
Uwe Kostrewa at Hombrese Bikes pushed the project over the finish line, but the initial work was actually done the KTM’s owner, Patrick. The two Germans are good friends—they worked together for a while, and their workshops are right next to each other in Cologne.
The project was conceived when the guys headed over to a training day at Dirt Track Lelystad in the Netherlands, for their first flat track experience. The bug bit quick, and each one started shopping for their own bike.
Uwe settled on a 450 cc KTM single, but Patrick wanted something bigger—so he picked the 98 hp KTM 950 Supermoto.
He tore into the big twin right away, focusing on the stance and ride height. He installed a set of KTM Super Duke forks into the OEM yokes, then took 20 mm out of the rear.
The wheels were re-laced with a pair of 19” rims, powder coated, and shod with Dunlop DT3 dirt track rubber. Patrick had to fettle the oil cooler too, since the front wheel was now hitting it—so he moved it slightly, and took some superfluous material out of the casing.
Around that time, Patrick and Uwe headed back to Lelystad—this time with their new bikes. The 950 got the nod of approval from one of the instructors, and he suggested Patrick enter it in Hooligan class racing. Not long after, Patrick piloted it to a 2nd place in his class, at the Punk’s Peak hill climb at Wheels & Waves.
Buzzing from the result, Patrick asked Uwe to take the KTM to the next level as soon as they got back to Germany. So when winter hit, it went onto Hombrese’s bench for a full makeover.
“I think he likes my style and my creativity,” says Uwe. “And my workshop has more tools!”
Uwe stripped the bike down, and started by reworking the rear end. The 950 Supermoto’s fuel sits under the tank, and Uwe wanted to keep it that way—but on his terms. This would prove to be the most challenging part of the build.
The work included fabricating an all-new subframe, along with an aluminum fuel cell to sit inside it. A lot of wiring had to be moved around, and there’s a custom oil tank hiding away under there too.
Up top is a flat track tail section from Survivor Customs in the UK. It’s a sneaky setup—one screw releases the seat pad, which comes off to provide access to the fuel filler. For the front, Uwe took a fiberglass tank from a Sunday Motors mini-tracker, and retro-fitted it to the KTM’s frame by splitting it in two and reshaping it.
Uwe did some crafty work in the cockpit as well. The ignition’s been relocated to just in front of the tank cover, with a neat custom-made mounting plate. Out front is an aluminum number board, built in the same style he uses for all of his flat trackers.
The bars are a set of ProTaper dirt track bends, with ProGrip grips and a simple kill-switch. Keen eyes will notice the lack of a foot brake—it’s been replaced by a one-finger lever above the clutch control.
The KTM’s LC8 motor is plenty powerful for slinging around a dirt track, so the only change here is the exhaust. Uwe re-worked the headers into a low-slung two-into-one arrangement, capped off with an aftermarket muffler. It’s a damn sight lighter too now—down from the original 210 kilos to 167, wet.
With sharp new lines and a refined setup, all the KTM needed now was a fresh coat of paint. The guys settled on a brilliant color—the same red Honda used on the CR500 in the late 80s.
Patrick must be itching to get it out on the track… and glad he didn’t settle for ‘good enough.’
