- First-ever Tiguan R inherits Golf R power and sharper driving dynamics.
- Quad exhausts distinguish true R flagship SUV from lookalike R-Line trim.
- America misses out because its latest Tiguan is actually Europe’s Tayron.
Fast SUVs are everywhere these days, but Volkswagen has been strangely quiet where its popular compact Tiguan was concerned, while rivals piled on the horsepower. That is set to change soon, because the first proper Tiguan R is edging closer to production, and these latest spy shots don’t leave much to the imagination.
Snapped just as it was heading to the Nürburgring to put in some hot test laps, the Pure White prototype wasn’t wearing a stitch of camo, meaning we could see exactly what it will look like when it debuts later this year, Audi wheels apart. The aggressive front bumper, larger cooling intakes, quad exhaust tips and even an R badge tucked beside the headlights all point to a model that’s virtually ready to step out for its debut this fall.
Related: VW’s ID. Tiguan Will Be So Much More Than A Facelifted ID.4
SH Proshots
There is one styling detail we’d happily send back for another round of development, though. The lower rear bumper wears a fake mesh treatment, and it’s a whole lot less convincing than the painted-on tunnel a woman tried to drive through in Mexico. Fortunately, the real quad exhaust outlets lurking below go some way toward redeeming it.
The biggest story is what’s breathing through those tailpipes. VW is widely expected to transplant the Golf R‘s turbocharged 2.0-liter EA888 four-cylinder into the Tiguan, giving the SUV somewhere around 329 hp (333 PS). A seven-speed DSG and 4Motion all-wheel drive are standard, while the torque vectoring rear differential from the hatchback is also expected to make an appearance.
Volkswagen has already done the hard work with the Golf R, and now the Tiguan – which is based on the same MQB platform as the Golf – simply gets the same ingredients wrapped in a taller body with enough luggage space for a family holiday.
More Driver Appeal Than RAV4 GR Sport
That formula could make it one of the more appealing performance SUVs on sale. Toyota’s RAV4 GR Sport delivers respectable pace and a capable chassis, but its hybrid powertrain and CVT combo never feels especially enthusiastic when you’re driving for fun. A Golf R engine paired with a slick dual-clutch transmission promises a much more engaging experience, even if the Tiguan can’t quite match a hot hatch’s center of gravity.
Sadly, North American buyers shouldn’t get too excited. The European Tiguan and the American Tiguan aren’t actually the same vehicle. The SUV sold in the United States is closely related to Europe’s Tayron, making a direct transplant of this R model highly unlikely.
