Magnificent Seven

Volkswagen Adds a Much-awaited Three-row Seven-seater Suv to Its Line-up. But, Can It Grab Market Share From Already Established Players? We Drive It in Oman

- Tim Ansell

Arriving astonishingly late to a party is viewed by many as perfectly fashionable behaviour in this part of the world and Volkswagen it seems, has been taking note. With the introduction of the new Teramont, the company has finally, some 16 years after the launch of the Touareg and 11 since the Tiguan first graced our roads, brought a three row, seven-seat SUV to market. Now since this particular party started quite some time ago there’s already a whole gaggle of loud, thirsty guests in the room, but due to its late arrival, the Teramont’s stylists have had more time to dress it up all fancy, and accessorise.

The Teramont’s style icons are clearly American — the fact that it’s built in Chattanooga, Tennessee may have a lot to do with that — but that bluff, upright grille and heavy set wheel arches were no doubt chosen carefully to appeal to a certain type of buyer and what better way to make a good first impression. But if the front end is all bluster and bumper, VW’s stylists have sculpted the roof-line and rear haunches more subtly, such that despite the Teramont’s lengthy 2,979mmwheelbase and 1,769mm height, it doesn’t appear to the eye to be a bulky vehicle.