Volkswagen Australia has announced the new facelifted 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. It gets revised styling, a new entry-level 1.4 TSI engine available in two-wheel drive, slightly more power for the base model 2.0-litre as well as a top-spec 2.0 TSI with 155kW.

Like the latest range of Volkswagen vehicles, the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan showcases the company's consistent and conservative design language. At the front, there's the new horizontal grille which extends right to the inner edges of the headlights, while at the rear there's new taillights with slightly more squared-off bottom edges, in tune with the horizontal design theme.

The biggest change for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan is the introduction of the 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (turbo and supercharged) four-cylinder engine with BlueMotion Technology. Like other models in the Volkswagen range, the 1.4 TSI produces 118kW of power and 240Nm of torque. It comes with an average fuel consumption rating of 6.9L/100km and is able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds.

The 1.4 TSI is available with a six-speed manual transmission only. Interestingly, the 1.4 TSI is available in two-wheel drive form paired with BlueMotion Technology, as opposed to the rest of the range, including the current models, which feature Volkswagen's 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

The BlueMotion Technology showcases features such as Start/Stop, Brake Energy Recuperation and a Coasting Function (available on the DSG version of TDI only), all aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Next up in the lineup is the new 2.0 TSI variant, which comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection, now producing 132kW of power and 280Nm of torque - up from the current 125kW and 280Nm.

It's available in either six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic, and comes with an average fuel consumption rating of 8.7L/100km (manual) and 8.8L/100km (DSG). Acceleration from 0-100km/h can be achieved in 8.3 seconds (manual) and 7.9 seconds (DSG).

Apart from the exterior revisions, the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI diesel remains relatively unchanged, mechanically. It will come with the option of two-wheel drive matched with BlueMotion Technology though like the 1.4 TSI, and features reduced fuel consumption ratings compared with the current model despite maintaining the same power and torque figures (103kW and 320Nm).

Equipped with the six-speed manual it comes with an average consumption rating of 6.0L/100km, while the seven-speed DSG is rated at 6.2L/100km. Acceleration from 0-100km/h can be achieved in 10.2 seconds.

Finally, taking place as the flagship variant is the new 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 155TSI. It features the same 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol four-cylinder engine as seen in the Volkswagen Golf GTI, producing 155kW of power and 280Nm of torque.

The top-spec variant only comes in DSG transmission form, and offers an average fuel consumption rating of 8.8L/100km. Acceleration from 0-100km/h can be achieved in 7.3 seconds.

The new Tiguan also comes with an array of standard safety features including ABS brakes, Auto Hold function, Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) and Engine Braking Control (EBC).

CarAdvice's Alborz Fallah is currently attending the launch. Look out for our full 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan review in the very near future.

Prices for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan range are as follows (Manufacture List Prices, excludes on-road costs):

Tiguan 118TSI six-speed manual - $28,490
Tiguan 132TSI six-speed manual - $33,490
Tiguan 132TSI seven-speed DSG - $35,990
Tiguan 103TDI six-speed manual - $35,990
Tiguan 103TDI seven-speed DSG - $38,490
Tiguan 155TSI seven-speed DSG - $42,990