VW Taigun is a 5 seater mid size SUV showcased in India at Auto Expo 2020. It is based on the carmakers’ T-Cross sub compact crossover SUV which is on sale for the European market. It will be the first car to be launched under India 2.0 Project with VW by Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited

VW Taigun Exterior

The VW Taigun has more of a crossover stance than that of a SUV. Upfront, it features two slat chrome grille with which the headlamp unit merges. Headlights are all LEDs with a thick strip of LED daytime running lamps. Chrome has been applied on the lower side of the front profile and big air intakes are available for better high speed stability. The fog lamps are LEDs as well. Faux skid plates are available as well.

Coming to the side, the crossover SUV gets piano black wheel arch cladding and silver side body cladding. The alloys are chunky and quite big inn size expected to be 17-inchers. Also an interesting pattern can be seen on the space between the C-Pillar and rear windshield. Roof rails are quite big and accentuates its crossover look.

The rear profile of the Volkswagen SUV looks modern and stylish. You cannot take your eyes off from those C-shaped connected tail lamps and so is the shape for the skid plates at the lower end.

VW Taigun Interior 

Taigun will feature dual tone interior environment. The steering wheel design is new which houses controls for MID and the infotainment system. Lots of storage spaces will be on offer along with illumination for glovebox, boot and the cabin. The 8-inch centrally placed music system houses touch control instead of buttons.

Inside door handles are similar to the other Volkswagen cars are in silver finish. Front seats are likely to get manual adjustment. Rear air con vents will also be provided as well. Rear seats has three headrests while there is slight hump in the floorboard for the middle occupant.

VW Taigun Specifications

Length	4,200 mm
Width	1,760 mm
Wheelbase	2,650 mm
Ground Clearance	180 mm

Volkswagen Taigun measures 4.2 m in length, has a width of 1.76 m while the wheelbase is 2,650 mm. Ground clearance is 180 mm, the other details will be will be revealed at the time of the launch of the crossover-SUV.

VW Taigun Engine Options

The upcoming SUV will be available with two petrol engines – 1.5 litre TSI and 1.0-litre TSI. There won’t be Diesel engine on offer and is also not expected anytime soon.

• The 1.5 litre TSI 4 cylinder petrol mill makes 148 BHP and 250 NM. It comes offered with 7 speed DSG gearbox while the fuel efficiency will be around 16 kmpl.
• The 1.0-litre TSI 3 cylinder powertrain is currently powering number of Skoda and Volkswagen Cars including Rapid, Polo, Vento and others. The output figures are 108 Bhp and 175 NM. It can be had with 6 speed manual and 6 speed torque converter automatic and will deliver ARAI certified mileage of around 18.5 kmpl.
• Along with this, Volkswagen will also bring a CNG variant but its going to be introduced only after a couple of months when the Creta, Seltos rival is launched in the country. The CNG will comes with 1.5 L engine with slightly less power figures of 128 BHP with same torque output at 250 NM.

	1.5 TSI G-TEC	1.0 TSI	1.5 TSI G-TEC
Engine	1.5 L 4 Cylinder TSI Petrol	1.0 L 3 cylinder TSI Petrol	1.5 L 4 Cylinder TSI Petrol-CNG
Power	148 BHP	108 BHP	128 BHP
Torque	250 NM	175 NM	250 NM
Transmission	7 Speed DSG	6 Speed MT / 6 Speed AT	6 Speed Manual
Fuel efficiency	16 kmpl	18.5 kmpl	–
Top Speed	183 kmph	–	–
0-100 kmph	9.9 seconds	–	–

VW Taigun Platform

Volkswagen Taigun will be build’s on the carmakers MQB A0 IN platform and the same platform would also underpin its cousin Skoda Vision IN and will be used in a couple of upcoming cars from both the car manufacturers in India. This platform allows multiple vehicles from various segments to be produced in a efficient manner.

VW Taigun Features

Like the other Volkswagen cars, Taigun in 2021 will be loaded up to the brim right from the base variant. Some of the top features of this SUV that will help it better compete with its rivals are:

1. Digital Instrument Cluster
2. Electric Sunroof
3. 8” infotainment system with apple CarPlay, android auto, mirror link, navigation
4. VW Connect (Connected Car technology)
5. LED Headlamps, DRLs, Tail Lamps
6. 6 speakers
7. Automatic ac with rear air con vents
8. 17-inch alloys
9. Push Start Button with keyless entry
10. Three headrests for rear passengers
11. Leather seat upholstery, steering and gear knob

VW Taigun Safety features

Apart from the strong and rigid built quality of the SUV, thanks to the carmakers flexible and modular, the SUV will be available with a bunch of standard safety features with the top variant bundled with all the top notch safety equipment. Safety features that the 2021 Taigun will offer are:

1. 6 airbags
2. Reverse parking camera
3. Rear defogger
4. All four windows with anti pinch guard
5. All 4 disc brakes
6. Rain Sensing Wipers
7. Auto Headlamps
8. Tyre pressure monitoring system
9. Hill Start Assist
10. Vehicle Stability Management System
11. Traction Control

VW Taigun Price & Maintenance 

Volkswagen India will locally assemble its upcoming Taigun SUV at its Chakan facility and are claiming 90% to 95% of localisation of the parts which will substantially bring down the overall cost of the SUV. The Volkswagen SUV is expected to be released at a starting price of Rs. 10.5 Lakhs with the top spec fully loaded trim with a price tag of Rs. 15.5 lakhs (Ex Showroom).

And also the with nearly 100 percent localisation, will not in result in easy availability of parts but will further result to bring down the overall maintenance and service cost as well which was earlier a issue for the VW car owners.

	Price (Ex Showroom)
Volkswagen Taigun	10.5 L – 15.5 L

VW Taigun Timeline

Volkswagen Taigun concept was unveiled back at the Sao Paulo International Motor Show and was expected to be unveiled by the carmakers in 2016 but was replaced by the T-Cross SUV on which the former is based and went on sale in European markets in 2018. And now the carmakers have showcased the Taigun back at February 5, 2020 in India at Auto Expo.

VW Taigun Launch Date

For the first time, Taigun was showcased in India at the biennial event, Auto Expo 2020 at Greater Noida. According to Volkswagen India, they are planning to bring the Taigun SUV in India in May 2021. The launch has already been confirmed for the same month inspite of coronavirus pandemic which results in the delay of a number of new car and bike launches.

	Launch Date
Volkswagen Tiguan	May 2021

VW Taigun vs Hyundai Creta

Dimensions

	VW Taigun	Hyundai Creta
Length	4,200 mm	4300 mm
Width	1,760 mm	1790 mm
Wheelbase	2,650 mm	2610 mm
Ground Clearance	180 mm	190 mm

• Hyundai Creta is longer than Taigun by 100 mm
• Creta is also wider than the VW SUV by 30 mm
• Ground clearance difference between the two SUVs is 10 mm with Creta having the higher specs.

Turbocharged Petrol Engine

	VW Taigun	Hyundai Creta
Engine	1.5 L TSI	1.4 L GDI
Power	148 BHP	138 BHP
Torque	250 NM	242 NM
Transmission	7 Speed DSG	7 Speed DCT
Fuel Efficiency	16 kmpl	16.8 kmpl

• The turbo petrol units of VW Taigun and Hyundai Creta are neck to neck in terms of numbers and comes available with the same gearbox.
• Taigun’s 1.5 litre petrol produces 10 BHP more than Creta’s 1.4 turbo GDI
• While in the aspect of torque, it is Taigun which better Creta’s turbo engine by 8 NM.
• But the fuel economy of Creta is slightly better than that of Taigun

*We haven’t put in comparison the 1.0-litre engine of Taigun and neither the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated MPI petrol engine of Creta as they was great differences in power and torque numbers. Since the Taigun doesn’t come with Diesel engine, the 1.5 litre U2 CRDi engine specs have not also being compared.

Features

	VW Taigun	Hyundai Creta
Headlamps	LED	LED
Tail Lamps	LED	LED
Tyre size	17″	17″
Infotainment system	8-inch	10.25-inch
Speakers	6	8
Instrument Cluster	Digital	Semi Digital
Ambient Lighting	–	Yes
Sunroof	Electric Sunroof	Panoramic Sunroof
Ventilated Seats	–	Front
Electric Parking Brake	–	Yes
Rear Recline Seats	–	yes
Connected Car technology	Yes	Yes
Wireless Charging	–	Yes
2nd row window sunshade	–	Yes
Three adjustable headrests for rear passengers	Yes	–

• In the aspect of features, it is clearly that Hyundai Creta is much more loaded than its opponent:
• Creta offers Bose Sound System with 8 speakers while Taigun gets only 4 speakers + 2 tweeters
• The touchscreen system of Creta is much bigger than that of Taigun
• Single Colour ambient lighting is offered in the higher trims of Creta which the upcoming VW SUV misses out on
• Other features which Creta offers over Taigun are front ventilated seats, electronic parking brake, 2 step rear reclinable seats, wireless phone charging and manual sunshade for the second row windows.
• A bigger panoramic sunroof is on offer in Creta while Taigun comes with small electric sunroof.

Safety Features

	VW Taigun	Hyundai Creta
Airbags	6	6
Parking Sensors	Front and Rear	Rear
Park Assist	Reverse Parking Camera	Reverse Parking Camera
Brakes	Disc / Disc	Disc / Disc
Rain Sensing Wipers	Yes	Yes
Automatic Headlamps	Yes	Yes
Hill Start Assist	Yes	Yes
ESP	Yes	Yes
Traction Control	Yes	Yes
TPMS	Yes	Yes

In terms of safety equipment, both the SUVs are head to head with Taigun offering one more safety feature than Creta in the form of front parking sensors which the South Korean SUV doesn’t have even in its higher trims.

Price

	VW Taigun	Hyundai Creta
Price (Ex Showroom)	10.5 L – 15.5 L	10 L – 17.2 L

The base variant of Taigun is slightly costlier than Creta’s E variant while the top end fully loaded trim of the latter with all the bells and whistles costs Rs. 17.2 Lakhs and there is a lot of difference between the top model prices of the SUVs.

Why to buy VW Taigun over Hyundai Creta?

TSI Engine – The TSI petrol engines of Taigun offers better drivability than the Creta petrol engines although in terms of power figures they are close to each other.

Why to buy Hyundai Creta over VW Taigun?

1. Features – Feature wise Creta takes the lead by offering couple of best in class features including panoramic sunroof, Rea seat headrest cushion, recline function for rear seats, wireless charging, Bose sound system, etc.
2. Variety of Engine Options – Not only Creta comes with a variety of engine options but also comes with automatic gearbox for all the powertrains as well which gives the customers a wide variety of choose from.
3. Interior – Although both of them have got premium interiors, but due to the presence of big infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, better space in the inside, Creta again wins the point.
4. Price – Although the price of top model of Creta is more than that of Volkswagen Taigun but surely those 20 lakhs are worth given the top notch features and safety equipments on offer. Plus if are willing to go for the lower spec model of Creta, then you will save a lot of money as well.

VW Taigun vs Kia Seltos

Dimensions

	VW Taigun	Kia Seltos
Length	4,200 mm	4315 mm
Width	1,760 mm	1800 mm
Wheelbase	2,650 mm	2610 mm
Ground Clearance	180 mm	190 mm

• Seltos is 115 mm longer than Taigun and 40 mm wider as well.
• While the wheelbase is less at about 40 mm than the letter
• Ground Clearance is 10 mm more than Volkswagen’s SUV

Turbocharged Petrol Engine

	VW Taigun	Kia Seltos
Engine	1.5 L TSI	1.4 L GDI
Power	148 BHP	138 BHP
Torque	250 NM	242 NM
Transmission	7 Speed DSG	6 Speed MT / 7 Speed DCT
Fuel Efficiency	16 kmpl	16.1 kmpl / 16.5 kmpl

• Since Creta and Seltos uses the same set of engine options, as discussed above Taigun betters Seltos’s turbocharged petrol engine if talking about numbers
• But unlike Taigun which comes with just automatic gearbox, Seltos offers its GDI engine with manual as well as automatic transmission option.
• The fuel economy of Kia Seltos is slightly better but on road there won’t be any major difference

*We haven’t put in comparison the 1.0-litre engine of Taigun and neither the 1.5 litre naturally aspirated MPI petrol engine of Seltos as they was great differences in power and torque numbers. Also Taigun doesn’t have a Diesel engine which the Seltos has.

Features

	VW Taigun	Kia Seltos
Headlamps	LED	LED
Tail Lamps	LED	LED
Tyre size	17″	17″
Infotainment system	8-inch	10.25-inch
Speakers	6	8
Instrument Cluster	Digital	Analog
Ambient Lighting	–	Yes
Sunroof	Electric Sunroof	Electric Sunroof
Ventilated Seats	–	Front
Heads up display	–	Yes
Rear Recline Seats	–	Yes
Connected Car technology	Yes	Yes
Wireless Charging	–	Yes
2nd row window sunshade	–	Yes
Three adjustable headrests for rear passengers	Yes	Yes

• Similar features shared by both the SUVs are LED headlamps and tail lights, 17-inch alloys, smart electric sunroof, connected car tech, 3 adjustable headrests for the rear occupants.
• Seltos offers a bigger infotainment system than Taigun’s 8-inch touchscreen setup
• Features that Seltos offers and are missing in upcoming SUV by Volkswagen are cooled driver and co driver seat, 1st in class heads up display, rear recline seats, wireless charging and door manual sunshade.

Safety Features

	VW Taigun	Kia Seltos
Airbags	6	6
Parking Sensors	Front and Rear	Front and Rear
Park Assist	Reverse Parking Camera	360 degree camera
Blind Spot Monitor	–	Yes
Brakes	Disc / Disc	Disc / Disc
Rain Sensing Wipers	Yes	Yes
Automatic Headlamps	Yes	Yes
Hill Start Assist	Yes	Yes
ESP	Yes	Yes
Traction Control	Yes	Yes
TPMS	Yes	Yes

Unlike Creta and Taigun which offers just reverse parking camera, Seltos provides additional safety in the form of 360 degree surround view camera and blind spot camera. Other than this, all the features on offer are same.

Price

	VW Taigun	Kia Seltos
Price (Ex Showroom)	10.5 L – 15.5 L	9.89 L – 17.34 L

Again like Creta, Seltos is a value for money with the base variant of the latter undercutting that of Taigun in terms of pricing. Although the difference in the top model of both the SUVs is around 2 lakhs. If you want features like heads up display, 360 degree camera, blind spot camera and a bigger infotainment system apart from ventilated front seats, then you can extend your budget and buy Seltos.

Why to buy VW Taigun over Kia Seltos?

Great Drivability – The TSI petrol twins on offer for the Taigun offers best in class driving experience as well as sheer drivability and if you are the one who wants a car with excellent power delivery, this is the car for you.

Why to buy Kia Seltos over Volkswagen Taigun?

1. More Features – As compared to Upcoming Taigun in India, the South Korean mid size SUV comes bundled with 360 degree camera, heads up display, blind spot camera, manual curtain for second row, ventilation for driver and passenger seat and much more.
2. Variety of engine and transmission option – Kia Seltos comes with two petrol engines, which even the Taigun offers but where does it attracts customers is the availability of Diesel engine as well as optional automatic transmission mode for the all the three engines.
3. Premium interiors – The fit and finish of material inside the cabin of Kia Seltos has no match inside the segment. It has high quality buttons, switches and the carmakers are oriented to provide premium cabin experience.

• Kia Seltos Variants Explained

VW Taigun vs Skoda Vision IN

Dimensions

	VW Taigun	Skoda Vision IN
Length	4,200 mm	4,256 mm
Width	1,760 mm	–
Wheelbase	2,650 mm	2,671 mm
Ground Clearance	180 mm	180 mm

• Skoda Vision IN is longer and has a better wheelbase than the VW Taigun although the difference is not that much big
• Ground clearance of the Skoda and Volkswagen SUVs is 180 mm.

1.5 Petrol Engine

	VW Taigun	Skoda Vision IN
Engine	1.5 L TSI	1.5 L TSI
Power	148 BHP	148 BHP
Torque	250 NM	250 NM
Transmission	7 Speed DSG	7 Speed DSG
Fuel Efficiency	16 kmpl	15.8 kmpl
Top Speed	183 kmph	195 kmph
0-100 kmph	9.9 seconds	8.7 seconds

Both the SUVs comes with the same petrol engine with the same set of power and torque and 7 speed dual clutch transmission but the mileage of Vision IN will be less than the Taigun. Along with this, Petrol-CNG bi-fuel engine options with 128 BHP and 250 NM will be on offer for both the SUVs.

Top Speed of Skoda Vision IN is more and it also sprints from 0 to 100 kmph in 8.7 seconds which is much better than Taigun which does the same by taking more time at 9.9 seconds.

1.0 Petrol Engine

	VW Taigun	Skoda Vision IN
Engine	1.0 L TSI	1.0 L TSI
Power	108 BHP	108 BHP
Torque	175 NM	175 NM
Transmission	6 Speed MT / 6 Speed AT	6 Speed MT / 6 Speed AT
Fuel Efficiency	18.5 kmpl	18.3 kmpl

Another engine which both the SUVs shares apart from 1.5 TSI petrol and Petrol-CNG is 1.0 litre 3 cylinder powertrain which makes 108 BHP / 175 NM. Transmission options are exact similar as well albeit a slight difference can be seen in the fuel economy numbers.

Features

	VW Taigun	Skoda Vision IN
Headlamps	LED	LED
Tail Lamps	LED	LED
Tyre size	17″	17″
Infotainment system	8-inch	12.3-inch
Speakers	6	6
Instrument Cluster	Digital	Digital
Air conditioner	Automatic	Automatic
Ambient Lighting	–	Yes
Sunroof	Electric Sunroof	Panoramic Sunroof
Connected Car technology	Yes	Yes

The Skoda Vision IN is much more feature rich SUV than the Tiguan with the availability of huge panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, best in class and largest infotainment system. Other features on offer are shared by both the SUVs.

Safety Features

	VW Taigun	Skoda Vision iN
Airbags	6	7
Parking Sensors	Front and Rear	Front and Rear
Park Assist	Reverse Parking Camera	360 degree camera
Brakes	Disc / Disc	Disc / Disc
Rain Sensing Wipers	Yes	Yes
Automatic Headlamps	Yes	Yes
Hill Start Assist	Yes	Yes
ESP	Yes	Yes
Traction Control	Yes	Yes
TPMS	Yes	Yes

• Skoda Vision IN and VW Taigun will be based on the MQB A0 IN platform but there is a bit difference in the safety equipment on offer but for that you have to spend extra for the Skoda SUV.
• Features that are available in Skoda Vision IN but the other SUV which has been put to compare are 360 degree camera and 7 airbags.

Price

	VW Taigun	Skoda Vision IN
Price (Ex Showroom)	10.5 L – 15.5 L	11.2 L – 16.5 L

Price of Skoda Vision IN, when launched in India will kept on a higher side in order to equalise with the extra features on offer, which means that the Taigun is slightly more affordable than the upcoming Skoda Vision IN (likely to be called Kliq)

Why to Buy VW Taigun over Skoda Vision IN?

Price – The difference between the pricing of the SUV is one such reason for considering the Volkswagen T-Roc. In the price aspect, VW Taigun can be had at Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 lower than the Vision IN.

Why to Buy Skoda Vision IN over VW Taigun?

Features – Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited will keep the Vision IN at a bit premium price and it will be matched by more premium features on offer. Over the Volkswagen’s SUV, the carmakers will load it with 360 degree camera, bigger sunroof, more airbags and ambient lighting, large infotainment system.

VW Taigun vs VW T-Roc

Dimensions

	VW Taigun	VW T-Roc
Length	4,200 mm	4,342 mm
Width	1,760 mm	1,819 mm
Wheelbase	2,650 mm	2,590 mm
Ground Clearance	180 mm	160 mm

• In terms of length and width, T-Roc better the likes of Taigun which would ultimately result in better space inside the cabin.
• Wheelbase of the bigger Volkswagen is less by 60 mm than the Taigun.
• While the ground clearance of the Taigun is also better than that of T-Roc

Petrol Engine

	VW Taigun	VW Taigun	VW T-Roc
Engine	1.5 L TSI	1.0 L TSI	1.5 L TSI
Power	148 BHP	108 BHP	148 BHP
Torque	250 NM	175 NM	250 NM
Transmission	7 Speed DSG	6 Speed MT / 6 Speed AT	7 Speed DSG
Fuel Efficiency	16 kmpl	18.5 kmpl	–

• Both the Volkswagen SUV uses the same 1.5-litre petrol engine with the exact same figures and transmission with mileage being slightly lower for the T-Roc.
• Also another petrol is on offer for the Taigun, which is 1.0 litre 3 cylinder unit with MT and 6 speed torque converter automatic with less output figures than the 1.5 L one.

Features

	VW Taigun	VW T-Roc
Headlamps	LED	LED
Tail Lamps	LED	LED
Tyre size	17″	17-inch
Air Conditioner	Automatic	2-zone automatic
Infotainment system	8-inch	8-inch
Speakers	6	6
Instrument Cluster	Digital	Digital
Sunroof	Electric Sunroof	Panoramic Sunroof
Connected Car technology	Yes	Yes
Front seat adjustment	Manually	Manually (with lumbar support adjustment)
Heated Seats	–	Front

• Volkswagen T-Roc and Taigun comes with similar set of features expect a bit long list of equipment on offer for T-Roc as its an above segment vehicle
• Features of T-Roc over Taigun are dual zone automatic ac, full size panoramic sunroof, lumbar support adjustment for the front two seats which also gets heated function.

Safety Features

	VW Taigun	VW T-Roc
Airbags	6	6
Parking Sensors	Front and Rear	Front and Rear
Park Assist	Reverse Parking Camera	Reverse Parking Camera
Brakes	Disc / Disc	Disc / Disc
Rain Sensing Wipers	Yes	Yes
Automatic Headlamps	Yes	Yes
Hill Start Assist	Yes	Yes
ESP	Yes	Yes
Traction Control	Yes	Yes
TPMS	Yes	Yes
Electric parking brake	–	Yes

Again the safety features on offer are quite similar except the electronic parking brake which comes available by the carmakers in the T-Roc SUV. 

Also both of them shares the same platform – MQB A0 IN and in the Euro NCAP, T-Roc scored perfect 5 star rating as well.

Price

	VW Taigun	VW T-Roc
Price (Ex Showroom)	10.5 L – 15.5 L	19.99 L

Since T-Roc is brought to India via a CBU track, thats why carries such a high price sticker while the locally assembled Taigun will cost between Rs. 10.5 Lakhs to Rs. 15.5 Lakhs (Ex Showroom).

Why to Buy VW Taigun over VW T-Roc?

1. Pricing – Surely there is a lot of difference in the prices of both these SUVs with Taigun being the more affordable of the two and offering quite good features as well.
2. Variety of Engine Options – Unlike the T-Roc which offers a single petrol engine, T-Roc not only comes with two petrol engines but the desired customers have also the choice to opt for CNG as well.
3. Service & Maintenance Cost – Thanks to locally assembly of the parts of Taigun, you will be able to get serviced the SUV at a lower cost and also will get the parts easily as well.

Why to Buy VW T-Roc over VW Taigun?

1. More Features – Over the Taigun, the bigger T-Roc gets slightly long features list compared to the upcoming with heated front seats, adjustable lumbar support as well as electric parking brake on offer.
2. Spacious Cabin – Due to better specifications than the Taigun, the T-Roc has more space for not only the passengers inside the cabin but has a bigger boot capacity as well.

Why to buy Volkswagen Taigun?

1. TSI Engine – One big reason to wait for Taigun is for the 1.5 litre TSI petrol engine which offers unmatched drivability experience and is fun to drive as well.

2. Option of CNG – No one in the competition is offering a bi fuel Petrol-CNG combination and Volkswagen Taigun with the availability of added Petrol-CNG option will get more owners as well.

Why not to wait for Volkswagen Taigun?

1. Less Features – As compares to Creta, Seltos and even Skoda Vision IN, the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun in India loses out on a couple of important features which Indian loves including 360 degree surround view camera, heads up display, ventilated seats, rear reclinable seats, smart air purifier and others.

2. Lack of Diesel engine – Creta and Seltos both comes with 1.5 litre Diesel engine which the carmakers will not be making available with Taigun anytime soon. This space will surely help the former vehicles to have an upper hand over the upcoming rivals in India. 

3. No Petrol Manual – Volkswagen India will provide manual transmission option only with 1.0-litre gearbox while the 1.5-litre bigger petrol engine misses out on the same and in numbers also, the 1.0-litre mill available with both the gearboxes, generates less power and torque.

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