VW’s important replacement for the Tiguan Allspace seems set to start with a 2.0-litre petrol and seven chairs, but there’s a plug-in hybrid lurking.

ARRIVAL in October with an emphasis on all-wheel-drive seems set for a new large family-themed sports utility coming from Volkswagen.

A direct replacement for the Tiguan Allspace, and once again evolved from the regular Tiguan that has been here since last year - but with more power, technology and additional space - the Tayron will source from Mexico.

A model whose name is pronounced ‘tie-ron’ seems intended to stand as an alternate to the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorrento and Toyota Highlander.

Whereas Allspace was pretty much a stretched Tiguan, this time around Volkswagen wanted to create a standalone model to fill the gap between the Tiguan and Touareg, resulting in the Tayron.

From talk at yesterday’s media event for the ID.Buzz electric model, New Zealand seems set to cherry pick out of four variants available to Australia.

Auckland-based VW NZ seems to have an eye to taking the stronger specified of the four models going to our neighbour and with the seven seat layout favoured over a five chair choice.

If plug-in hybrid power becomes part of the plan, it won’;t happen straight away, but that new choice might be preferable over a 112kW front-drive 1.5-litre 48-volt mild-hybrid also in the international family.

At launch VW here appears to have the choice of two turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engines, both married to a six-speed automatic.

The 150TSI has a 150kW/320Nm unit and the 195TSI R-Line outputs 195kW/400Nm.

Detail of the PHEV type, called Tayron eHybrid, have clarified because it has just gone into the United Kingdom.

It runs a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol with a 85kW electric motor married to a 1.9.7kW lithium ion battery.

Maximum power and torque are cited at 150kW and 350Nm. The electric pure range is claimed to be 118 kilometres and, when the powertrains are operating optimally in unison, the fuel burn drops to just 0.4 litres per 100km.

With a fully charged battery and regardless the petrol tank only holds 45 litres, there’s a potential driving range of 850 kilometres without stopping.

Usefully, the PHEV system supports 50kW DC fast charging in addition to the 11kW AC rate.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, but it's set to command a premium above the Tiguan, which presently starts at $59,990 for the 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre front drive Life — the same runout special sticker held by remnant supply of the Tiguan Allspace - and tops at $84,490 for the R-Line all wheel drive, which also has that 195kW/400Nm unit.

At 4770mm long, 1852mm wide and 1660mm tall, on a 2791mm wheelbase, the Tayron is a touch longer and wider than the Tiguan Allspace, but shares its distance between the front and rear wheels.

It is about 230mm longer nose to tail, and 114mm between the wheel axles, than the five-seat Tiguan, and has 850 litres’ cargo capacity when all seats are in place.

Because of the space requirements for the battery, the PHEV is a five chair selection and front-drive, and has a slightly smaller boot than a standard petrol five-seater we’re unlikely to see.

VW says there is not sufficient room to install a third row of seats in a way that would still enable them to fold down into the floor when not in use. Passenger headroom in the rearmost row would also be further restricted.

That 705 litres of boot space can be increased to 1915 litres by folding down the rear seats.

Standard features in the base model going to our neighbour include a 12.9-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch instrument display, LED headlights, 18-inch alloys, keyless entry and start, a power tailgate, 360-degree camera, and a suite of advanced safety systems.

Adaptive suspension is offered on all-wheel-drive models. This latest system uses two-valve shock absorbers to alter and enhance how the Tayron drives, now reacting faster than previous versions to help smoothen out the ride comfort beyond the capabilities of a passive setup. Targeted intent was to make the car comfortable and refined.

The 2.0-litres take 19- or 20-inch wheels, matrix LED headlights, a 15-inch touchscreen, leather trim, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, and more.