VW reveals Tiguan R because it needed more hot SUVs

Thursday, 2 July 2020

Watch the global reveal of the new Volkswagen Tiguan here.

Volkswagen, after admitting it has enough SUVs, has introduced a new SUV.

It's not a totally new model though, so VW didn't entirely lie, but it is a new variant that hasn't been done before, at least not by the German giant.

Called the Tiguan R, the hot-cross essentially blends the standard facelifted Tiguan with the Arteon R of last week.

That means power comes from the Evo4 version of VW's two-litre turbo-four, which sends 235kW/420Nm to each wheel. The new R-Performance Torque Vectoring system can vary the torque split between the front and rear axles as well as the two rear wheels, like Audi's Sport Differential.

The facelifted design look rather good, doesn't it?

Ride height has dropped by 10mm compared to the standard models and 21-inch 'Estoril' wheels hide 18-inch brakes. Those who want more popping and parping can spec on an Akrapovič exhaust like on the smaller T-Roc R. It sounds rather similar to the existing Cupra Ateca, which you can buy right now for $63,900.

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Those Akrapovič exhaust tips are an optional extra, one box we'd definitely tick.

* Things we wish we had: VW Arteon Shooting Brake

* Road test review: Seat Ateca FR 4Drive

There are fewer changes inside but the hints of blue accent the styling nicely.

* How Volkswagen has made the Tiguan Allspace the torque of the town

* Fast-forward for Volkswagen's turbocharged Tiguan R-Line SUV

Drive modes comprise Comfort, Sport, Race, Individual, Offroad, Snow and Offroad Individual, while a little blue 'R' button on the wheel puts everything into full attack.

Styling is, as mentioned, based on the newly refreshed Tiguan, which includes new bumpers fore and aft, new headlights and a new infotainment system.

The lights are now LED range-wide while the infotainment screen starts at 6.5 inches in size and the climate controls are now totally touch-based (boo).

Driver assistance tech has been updated too, with the new Travel Assistant system able to take complete control of the car on the motorway at speeds of up to 210kmh by using the adaptive cruise control and lane assist systems.

You still have to keep your hands on the wheel though, the new touch-sensitive wheel will know if you don't.

Stuff reached out to VW NZ to see if we'll get the new Tiguan R here and was told to expect it around Q3 next year. We'll get the standard models too, which will hopefully include the new Tiguan eHybrid, a plug-in version with 180kW/400Nm and around 50km of pure-electric range.

More information on the local line-up will be revealed in due course.