RE: 2021 VW Tiguan R order books open

RE: 2021 VW Tiguan R order books open

Thursday 25th February 2021

2021 VW Tiguan R order books open

Golf R too obvious? T-Roc R too small? Golf R Estate too dowdy? The Tiguan is here



Never let it be said that Volkswagen doesn't offer its buyers choice, especially when it comes to fast cars. Already we have five derivatives of performance Golf, with a sixth to follow soon, the Up GTI serves to remind us that fun doesn't need 400hp, and the Arteon R is imminent as well - with a swoopy Shooting Brake estate, too.

Thursday's news is that the Tiguan R is now on sale to UK customers, priced from £45,915. Surprisingly, it's the first proper performance flagship for the Tiguan range since its 2008 launch - don't expect it to be the last. It makes use of the Golf R's powertrain, predictably enough, with 320hp and 310lb ft from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder channelled through a seven-speed DSG. A 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds is a couple of tenths off the Golf R's, and just the thing to make an impression on the way home from school. Top speed is 155mph.

Also like the equivalent hatch, the Tiguan R boasts the latest generation of 4Motion all-wheel drive, meaning R-Performance Torque Vectoring that can apportion up to 100 per cent of the torque to the outside rear wheel. VW reckons this "leads to noticeably more agile handling and eliminates understeer". The DCC adaptive dampers are standard for the Tiguan where they are optional on the Golf; still, with these snazzy but very large 21-inch wheels as standard, the best suspension possible might be wise.


There are a few more boxes to dab in on the VW R bingo card before we're done: note the four exhausts, matt chrome mirrors, black rear diffuser and blue brake calipers. An Akrapovic exhaust doesn't yet have a price confirmed, but will be an option for UK customers - excellent.

Perhaps the biggest area of differentiation between Golf and Tiguan is inside, the SUV continuing with an older design of interior and so featuring - get this - buttons. The HVAC controls also look a little more logical, even if they appear to have switched physical switches for haptic ones. Notable upgrades for the cabin include an R button on the steering wheel to cycle through drive modes (also selectable on the dial by the gearstick), chunky shift paddles like the Golf R and sports seats in 'Sardegna' cloth.

As mentioned, the Tiguan is kicking off from £45,915, or £6,645 more than the standard Golf R hatch. Which actually leaves it in an odd place market-wise, undercutting premium rivals like the BMW X3 M40i and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 - both comfortably more than £50k - but also carrying a premium over cars like the Cupra Ateca, which starts at £38,600. Nevertheless, it isn't hard to see the Tiguan R proving popular in a territory with an insatiable fast SUV appetite. And if this isn't the VW that perfectly suits your lifestyle, then the Touareg R is on sale next month. No, really...









Author
Discussion

roadie

Original Poster:

593 posts

261 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
The interior looks fantastically boring.

DaveyBoyWonder

2,466 posts

173 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
Another day, another VW marketing article.

Numeric

1,393 posts

150 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
The thing is I really rather like that - it just seems to me to be a really fun comfy and easy to live with car with a nice load of grunt and reasonable amount of space.

I see it as very desirable - much more than a Golf R which while it may be a little more dynamic isn't for me exciting enough for me to not like a higher ride height etc that this has.

MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
Numeric said:
The thing is I really rather like that - it just seems to me to be a really fun comfy and easy to live with car with a nice load of grunt and reasonable amount of space.

I see it as very desirable - much more than a Golf R which while it may be a little more dynamic isn't for me exciting enough for me to not like a higher ride height etc that this has.
I’d agree.

Ignoring the depreciation, one of these would be a lovely thing to own.

CoffeePls

99 posts

37 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
If the problem is that a Golf R is too obvious - *that* is not going to be solved by choosing an SUV...

sutts

896 posts

147 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
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The wheels look way too big, and consequently the tyre wall ridiculously small for a vehicle like this.

jorders500

137 posts

88 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
CoffeePls said:
If the problem is that a Golf R is too obvious - *that* is not going to be solved by choosing an SUV...
+1

RammyMP

6,729 posts

152 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
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£45k! Presumably you’ll get a massive finance contribution if you buy one on a PCP.

HazzaT

449 posts

44 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
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[quote]Never let it be said that Volkswagen doesn't offer its buyers choice, especially when it comes to fast cars
[/quote]
Yeah! You can have *checks notes* a Golf R, a slightly bigger Golf R, an even bigger Golf R, a Golf GTI, a GTI with a bit more power, or a smaller Golf GTI with a bit less power. Such variety!

Add also: posh and/or Spanish variations of the above for some Latin flair!

Maccmike8

1,017 posts

53 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
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I could take one of these. High up, quick, will likely go round corners reasonably well and will fit the family and dog in.

menousername

2,106 posts

141 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
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I don’t think the wheels are big enough

Matt Bird

1,450 posts

204 months

PH Reportery Lad

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
Apologies all, there was an error in the original story - front brakes are the same size as the Golf R, at 357mm.


Matt

CeramicMX5ND2

7,611 posts

72 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
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Another VW Group car, highlighting how this group of brands is actually competing with itself....!

C.A.R.

3,967 posts

187 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
roadie said:
The interior looks fantastically ergonomic and hard-wearing.
FTFY.

A nice blend of performance and practicality. Our old MK1 Tiguan has been a fantastic family car and I'd love to be replacing it with this one, but I don't even have £4.50, let alone 10,000 times that!

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
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I'm not really an SUV/crossover fan, but i think it looks really nice. It's a great idea for VW to expand it's R range and apply it to various other models. Makes sense really.

REVJDP

29 posts

201 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
Some years ago this was a great site for car junkies, but since it has become commercialised it has just become an advert for all things German.

If a turd was produced with 4 wheels then this site would endorse it as the best thing since the German sausage! I have just looked & for virtually every day when articles are posted it s German car, what a surprise. Yes they produce decent cars I have plenty of them, but there are other manufacturers out there, & particularly other sports car manufacturers than Porsche.

MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
REVJDP said:
Some years ago this was a great site for car junkies, but since it has become commercialised it has just become an advert for all things German.

If a turd was produced with 4 wheels then this site would endorse it as the best thing since the German sausage! I have just looked & for virtually every day when articles are posted it s German car, what a surprise. Yes they produce decent cars I have plenty of them, but there are other manufacturers out there, & particularly other sports car manufacturers than Porsche.
Or they’re just releasing more cars and are more efficient at offering press release materials to websites like PH?

Thomo97

66 posts

189 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
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I feel quite ashamed of quite liking this ...

Ecosseven

1,972 posts

216 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
Looks OK although I think the wheels are way too big. 18" should be more than enough and give a better ride.

I would also question the costs. I know that VAG will make far larger margins on this model than a basic Tiguan but in the real world a 150 diesel model will suit the vast majority of people interested in a family SUV. Good to have the choice though.

curvature

380 posts

73 months

Thursday 25th February 2021
quotequote all
That interior is shocking for a £45k car.