Volkswagen Tiguan R

Ultimate Tiguan’s burning ambition

There's some hot stuff coming from Volkswagen – in the form of a Tiguan R. The German company is planning a tuned version of its all-new baby off-roader, featuring a range of enhancements.

Auto Express Car Reviews

Tuned 4x4 will get a full bodykit and additional bhp

06th December 2007

The flagship is fitted with 20-inch alloys and a bodykit with extended wheelarches. Additional equipment inside will include climate control and satellite navigation.

The engine is being kept a closely guarded secret, but the hotted-up Tiguan’s big brother, the Touareg R50, has a 5.0-litre V10 TDI – so diesel power is likely, possibly in the shape of the 2.0-litre TDI. The Tiguan R will hit mainland Europe in the next few months, but bosses have yet to confirm if it will form part of the new SUV line-up which is due in UK showrooms in February.

When the standard Tiguan is launched over here, buyers will get the option of 1.4 and 2.0-litre TSI petrol engines, or 138bhp and 168bhp versions of the 2.0-litre TDI oil-burner. More engine variants are poised to join the range later in the year.

Entry-level versions will be priced from £19,370, while tough Escape trim includes a revised front bumper as well as better ground clearance for serious off-road driving.