Frankfurt motor show 2007 - Volkswagen Tiguan

The wraps have come off VW's first compact 4x4, the Tiguan.

This is the sixth model to be built from Volkswagen's Golf platform and is similar in size to the Touran MPV.

The off-roader will initially come with a choice of two engines – a 148bhp 1.4 TSI petrol unit or a 138bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel. A 168bhp turbodiesel will follow, as will a further two TSI petrol engines – 120bhp 1.4 and the 2.0 from the Golf GTI.

The diesels all comply to Euro 5 standards and are VW's first commonrail diesel units, so should be more refined than the current range of VW diesels.

All versions have permanent four-wheel drive, with 60% of the power going to the front wheels in normal conditions. However up to 100% of the power can go to either the front or rear wheels according to conditions.

VW has not ruled out that a two-wheel drive version pencilled for the German market will also be available to UK buyers.

The Tiguan can be specified with Escape trim, which has a more angled front and shorter front overhang for extra off-road ability.

A Land Rover-style hill descent system isn't available from launch but will follow later.

The Tiguan starts at around £19,500 and will be on sale early next year.