Volkswagen launching its Taigo SUV at a free event in Joburg next weekend

Volkswagen is gearing up for the launch of its latest vehicle in South Africa – the Taigo SUV coupé. To celebrate, Volkswagen is hosting a free customer event. It will be held on the weekend of 4 and 5 of June, at the Prison Break Market in Joburg.

The Taigo SUV launches in South Africa as early as next week, joining VW’s T-Cross and T-Roc. The car launches with a 6.5in display as standard for its Life model, with an 8in infotainment screen for the Style and R-Line editions. For the latter two, there’s an optional second 8in Discover Media panel.

It’s packing an 85kW 1.0 TSI engine with 200Nm of torque at its disposal. It’ll go from 0 to 100km/h in 11. 3 seconds and it uses 5.4 litres of fuel per 100km. Seems decent enough for a three-cylinder block. Advance cruise control, side and lane assist, autonomous emergency braking, driver alert, and parking assist are just a few of the Taigo’s feature’s. There is also a batch of options for those with some extra money to burn.

The ‘Taigo Junction’, as Volkswagen calls it, will allow potential customers to explore the ins and outs of the car. That’s not the only thing for customers to experience. Prizes will be handed out, plus other activities to entertain visitors throughout the weekend.

Volkswagen’s captive audience

Potential buyers looking to experience more can participate in a free VR experience to highlight the car’s features. At least it won’t be as showy as what Nissan did for their online unveiling.

Also, get ready to bring your social media A-game. Throughout the weekend, visitors who tag themselves and VW in posts at the event stand a chance to win “Taigo adventures”. It doesn’t matter what a ‘Taigo adventure’ is, just get tagging as soon as you’re in the door. It’ll probably involve a car or two. Or possibly actual tigers.

During the event, a free barber experience will be on offer. To help you look your best for those social media posts, probably. Glam makeovers will also be available. But possibly the strangest offering is a free and very real tattoo from a real tattoo artist. Well, we hope they’re a real tattoo artist. That said, we hope you don’t need a giant VW logo tattooed across your chest to qualify for a giveaway.

You’ll need to register for the event, which you can do over here. This is done to ensure that available space will be used wisely in terms of COVID regulations. So, if you’re looking for something fun and free to do next weekend, look no further.

The Taigo SUV itself should be worth trekking out to the Prison Break Market on 4 and 5 June. While you’re at it, wander past Dreambox. Because social media reasons. Promise.