Sunday 27th August 2017

VW Tiguan R testing?

That brilliant five-cylinder turbo from the TT RS? Looks like it's going in a VW SUV!

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Given how well received the Golf R has been, it shouldn't come as a surprise that VW is hoping to expand the reach of its pinnacle performance brand. 'GTI' can be used for the dinky stuff, cars like the upcoming Polo and Up, while R deals with bigger models.

Sounds more interesting than it looks, honest

All very logical, though to see a Tiguan warbling (alright, mostly squealing) its way around the Nordschleife is quite a surprise. Surely the Tiguan R could have been an Ateca Cupra with a nicer dash and better residuals? Just take the EA888 2.0-litre, turbo to whatever power they want that day, add one standard DSG, an appropriately Sportlich styling upgrade and a competitive finance deal - job jobbed.

Looks - and sounds - like that's not going to happen though. In these Nordschleife test videos, there's definitely that unmistakeable five-cylinder sound coming from the exhaust pipes of this Tiguan. Which is kind of cool. Why not give that engine as many outings as possible?

Ah, you're thinking, but there's already a five-cylinder SUV in that empire - the Audi RS Q3. Only there isn't, because that particular Q3 has been off sale for a little while. So if you simply must have your compact SUV with five cylinders, it looks like VW might be coming to the rescue.

Just be careful at Brunnchen II chap...

Don't expect the Tiguan R to boast the full 400hp of the latest RS3 and TT RSbecause, well, that wouldn't do much for the prestige of an Audi built engine. Given the RS Q3 Performance was at 367hp, a figure around there seems likely. Interestingly that's exactly the power of a Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 as well...

Autocar is reporting a cleverly calculated price of £46,000, along with a global reveal at Geneva next year. Of course those are subject to confirmation, but don't sound unrealistic for now. And if the Tiguan R can drive like a Golf R but with a much more charismatic engine, VW could have an unexpected hit on its hands...

Watch the video here.
 

[Sources: Autocar]

[Atmospheric]

Why isn't this engine is the R? Or the S4 for that matter. The B9 V6 sounds bloody awful. Have VW lost it?

[MrBarry123]

If this is true, I am VERY interested...

[vz-r_dave]

Why do people bother with this sector? Why not just get a highline spec TDI? I seriously do not understand why people want to buy a hot a version of a baby SUV.... its hardly a B road weapon.... is it to feel good at the traffic lights?

[anonymous-user]

vz-r_dave said:

is it to feel good at the traffic lights?

[lemmingjames]

Would you spec a tdi in the current climate?

[vz-r_dave]

lemmingjames said:

Would you spec a tdi in the current climate?

Highline spec TSFI, TSI or what ever the petrol VW engines are these days... I hardly need a 5 cylinder 400hp engine in my baby SUV..... it is seriously rediculous in my eyes.

[Rawwr]

If you ever see one of those on the roads and it's not being driven super-aggressively, I'll buy you a Coke.

[Hackney]

Come on VW, how about putting a decent engine in a Passat!

[vz-r_dave]

Rawwr said:

If you ever see one of those on the roads and it's not being driven super-aggressively, I'll buy you a Coke.

I see plenty of Audi SQ5's being driven like miss daisy in central London..... if you mean seeing driven like a tt you can give me a life time supply!

[anonymous-user]

lemmingjames said:

Would you spec a tdi in the current climate?

As 99% of them will be on a 2/3 year lease, then I wouldn't give a toss if it was petrol or diesel as I'd just give it back at the end.

[MrBarry123]

vz-r_dave said:

Highline spec TSFI, TSI or what ever the petrol VW engines are these days... I hardly need a 5 cylinder 400hp engine in my baby SUV..... it is seriously rediculous in my eyes.

Because it'll do pretty much everything I'd ever need it to do whilst being quick and...

Because it sounds nice.
Because it's a bit interesting with that engine.
Because I've always liked the look of the new Tiguan but the current engine choices are a bit "meh".
Because I'd like to have a bit of "go" should I need it.
Because it looks slow but is fast.
Because I sometimes enjoy a higher driving position which an estate can't give me.

[Colonial]

vz-r_dave said:

Highline spec TSFI, TSI or what ever the petrol VW engines are these days... I hardly need a 5 cylinder 400hp engine in my baby SUV..... it is seriously rediculous in my eyes.

Cool.

Don't buy one then.

[vz-r_dave]

Colonial said:

vz-r_dave said:

Highline spec TSFI, TSI or what ever the petrol VW engines are these days... I hardly need a 5 cylinder 400hp engine in my baby SUV..... it is seriously rediculous in my eyes.

Cool.

Don't buy one then.

I won't but I can't help but judge the idiots that do.... sorry if you're on the waiting list.

[Colonial]

vz-r_dave said:

I won't but I can't help but judge the idiots that do.... sorry if you're on the waiting list.

Nah not for me.

I'm just not enough of a tosser to make pointless judgements on people driving cars I probably can't afford.

[vz-r_dave]

Colonial said:

vz-r_dave said:

I won't but I can't help but judge the idiots that do.... sorry if you're on the waiting list.

Nah not for me.

I'm just not enough of a tosser to make pointless judgements on people driving cars I probably can't afford.

Its a shame pedantic tts come on to PH and shoot down people of differing opinions.... good luck!

[Colonial]

vz-r_dave said:

Its a shame pedantic tts come on to PH and shoot down people of differing opinions.... good luck!

Stop trying to silence my differing opinion.

[Colonial]

I just don't see how stupidly over powered engines in boring family cars is ever a bad thing.

[vz-r_dave]

Colonial said:

vz-r_dave said:

Its a shame pedantic tts come on to PH and shoot down people of differing opinions.... good luck!

Stop trying to silence my differing opinion.

I am not, I am asking why, help me understand why people buy these things? Afterall we are all here to learn are we not? I love the application on the Audi RS but I feel that this is a complete waste in the baby SUV sector.

[Rawwr]

vz-r_dave said:

I am not, I am asking why, help me understand why people buy these things?

I think it's because at some point, supply crosses demand.

[Tuvra]

vz-r_dave said:

Why do people bother with this sector? Why not just get a highline spec TDI? I seriously do not understand why people want to buy a hot a version of a baby SUV.... its hardly a B road weapon.... is it to feel good at the traffic lights?

You maybe on the wrong site.

This will be bloody brilliant if my Golf R ownership experience is anything to go by