VOLKSWAGEN has unveiled its compact 4x4, the Tiguan, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and has announced that the first examples of the compact sports utility vehicle will be delivered to customers by the end of next year. The car is expected to go on sale in the UK in 2008.

The first news of the Tiguan's development came with the debut of Concept A in Berlin earlier this year. This was followed by the naming of the model in July, the result of a poll of more than 350,000 readers of magazines of the AutoBild group.

This latest development in Los Angeles takes the Tiguan one step closer to production and hints strongly at how the final version could look.

Maintaining the baby Touareg' appearance of the Concept A, the Tiguan is very similar in size to the Touran compact people carrier.

Klaus Bischoff, who was responsible for the exterior design of the car, said: "It was very important for us to have the car appear powerful and muscular. For us that was a higher priority than anything else. An off-roader needs a long hood and an upright position. That lends the vehicle self- assuredness and power." The Tiguan's face' and side profile are immediately recognisable as those of a Volkswagen, and yet they are different from all existing models in the range.

The dark-anodised metallic tone of the grille contrasts with the body colour, while a grid pattern and two dominant cross fins to the left and right of the Volkswagen roundel complete the look.

At the rear, the lights are integrated into the shoulder section similar to those on the Eos and Passat, while the steeply-sloping tailgate extends right down to the bumpers.