Volkswagen's R division is busy finalising a trio of upcoming models for launch later this year, but this, the long-mooted Tiguan R, could well be its most significant. While it'll likely mount the familiar 2020-spec EA888 engine as the incoming Golf R and Arteon R in a heavier, taller SUV body, the Tiguan line-up accounts for more sales than any other in VW's range. Consequently, a high-powered version has the potential to become the R division's quickest-selling global model.
The formula is a proven one: slap a freshly retuned version of Volkswagen's ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-litre into the engine bay, deploy Haldex all-wheel drive to send an anticipated 334hp to the road and have the chassis signed off by division boss Jost Capito. The broad talents of the T-Roc R confirm that VW's performance arm can certainly make a (comparatively) entertaining SUV, although given the Tiguan's higher ranking, its priorities will probably rank in a different order.
Thanks to virtually no camouflage, the hardware required to do that is there for all to see. Bigger brakes sit behind those large diameter rims, there's a larger intercooler visible through the front grilles and at the back there's VW's tell-tale quad exhaust tip setup. The rest of the car was largely previewed by the R-Line that came before it, but expect proper R front seats and an R wheel inside as part of the model's enhanced makeover. Still, it leaves the technically-related Cupra Ateca the bolder-looking machine.
When the Tiguan R arrives later this year, it'll bolster the division's lineup to four models; its most extensive yet. The car's anticipated role in leading the division's sales growth will come as no surprise; hot SUVs are in high demand and with countries like China, Russia and - from 2021 - the USA receiving VW's mid-sized model, the potential for unprecedented sales is enormous - assuming the world eventually returns to something approaching normal by the end of the year. UK appetite for powerful SUVs shows no signs of slowing too; although with prices expected to start beyond £40k, Cupra's cheaper Ateca (it starts from £35k) may be hard to beat.
1 / 5