Cars like the 21/80 were used in long-distance races between 1907 and 1911, and Mercedes-Benz says that they were among the first true sports cars. This particular example (wearing the No. 38) is owned by Mercedes, and it was recently restored to practically brand new condition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. After a brief walkaround/history lesson, the two-man crew with the 1910 Benz 21/80 Prinz Heinrich got to work getting the car started. The first step is delicately removing the engine cover and priming the engine with a hectane fuel. Then comes the hard work. While one man adjusts the various steering-wheel controls and foot pedals, the other stands in front of the car to crank the engine over. It took four good attempts at the hand crank, but the 80-horsepower, four-cylinder engine finally came to life with fuel leaking on the ground and the exposed cylinder valves clattering away. Back in the day, the car's single-piece, wheel-to-wheel running boards helped occupants get in the car, but you simply don't step on the freshly painted metal of a 103-year-old car.
Getting into the back seat was a feat requiring athleticism and flexibility, but once in, it was like being transported a century back in time. There's just something very majestic about being chauffeured around on a cool Florida afternoon in a car with a suicide shifter. Taking off was no easy task either. As the driver started to work the gas and clutch pedals, it felt like we were rear-ended by another car to get our forward momentum kicked off. One of the requirements for the Prinz Heinrich racecars was that they must be production vehicles with seating for four passengers. Now while I'd like to tell myself this was one of those "bendable" racing rules, it's more likely just a telling sign that passenger size and personal space have both grown exponentially over time. I was obviously also a little taller than most 1910s-era passengers as the majority of my useable legroom was taken up by the spare tire, but some slightly banged up knees were more than worth it for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Just sitting still, the Benz 21/80 Prinz Heinrich was imposing. About as long as the GL-Class we pulled up in, this car was painted in a dark green hue accented only by subtle pinstriping and various racing decals and badges. One interesting part of the car was its added nose piece, which I was told helped improve aerodynamics and controlled air flow to the radiator. The simple cockpit of the car featured just four gauges - we couldn't figure out what any of them were used for - mounted into the wooden firewall (how ironically dangerous does that sound?).
The 4 petrol engines (TSI) output between 90 kW / 122 PS and 155 kW / 210 PS. The 3 diesel engines (TDI) develop 81 kW / 110 PS, 103 kW / 140 PS and 125 kW / 170 PS. All Tiguans with BlueMotion Technology (BMT) also have a Stop/Start system. Fuel consumption values of the new SUV were reduced by up to 0.3 l/100 km. In the case of the front-wheel drive Tiguan 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology with 81 kW / 110 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS, for example, combined fuel consumption is just 5.3 l/100 km. Also setting standards is the all-wheel drive Tiguan 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Technology with 103 kW / 140 PS and 5.8 l/100 km. This makes the Volkswagen one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs in the world. All 7 engines ideally fit the SUV character profile with torque-strong performance and maximum torque outputs ranging from 200 to 350 Newton metres; 3 of the engines may be combined with a 7-speed DSG transmission.
A new option available on all versions is the XDS electronic differential lock, which perfects vehicle dynamics especially when driving through bends. The VW Tiguan offers an impressive trailer towing capacity of up to 2,500 kg, depending on the specific drive configuration - so, the Tiguan offers just as much fun as it does utility-oriented functionality. The 122 PS Tiguan 1.4 TSI will always be delivered as a BlueMotion Technology version with front-wheel drive and 6-speed manual gearbox. The Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems are both standard here. This Tiguan can be ordered in the "Trend & Fun" and "Sport & Style" equipment lines. This most fuel-efficient petrol engine of the Volkswagen Tiguan has a combined fuel consumption of 6.5 l/100 km (equivalent to 152 g/km CO2) and develops its maximum power at 5,000 rpm. The turbocharged TSI's maximum torque of 200 Newton metres is available between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. The four-cylinder engine enables a top speed of 185 km/h.
The Tiguan with the 1,390 cm3 engine handles the classic 0 to 100-km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds. At the next power level, Volkswagen will be introducing a turbo- and supercharged twincharger engine with 118 kW / 160 PS (at 5,800 rpm) some time after the market launch of the new Tiguan. It will be offered with either front-wheel drive (as "Trend & Fun" or "Sport & Style") or in a BlueMotion Technology version with all-wheel drive (as "Track & Field" and "Track & Style"). The TSI develops a maximum torque of 240 Newton metres between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. The Tiguan 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Technology with a power of 160 PS and a top speed of 203 km/h has a combined fuel consumption of 6.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 156 g/km CO2). Completely new to the Volkswagen programme is the 2.0-litre TSI with 132 kW / 180 PS. This engine, specially configured for the new Tiguan, replaces the 125 kW / 170 PS TSI of the previous model.
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