Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line

Volkswagen has announced it is reintroducing the R-Line trim level to the Tiguan range.

The Tiguan model is currently VW’s fourth best-selling car, behind the Golf, Polo and Passat. When VW sold the R-Line model with the last-generation Tiguan, it accounted for nearly 20 per cent of all sales, which begs the question why VW hasn’t introduced the sport trim level to the UK range sooner.

The R-Line is based on the Tiguan SE trim level, and adds bi-xenon headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, painted silver to contrast with the black wheelarch extensions, and sportier front and rear bumpers.

Inside, there are two-tone front sport seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and stainless steel pedals.

The R-Line is available with the Tiguan’s three most powerful engines. These are the 207bhp 2.0-litre TSI petrol and 2.0-litre TDI engines, with 138 and 168bhp. All cars get the firm's 4MOTION four-wheel-drive system and are fitted as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Tiguan R-Line costs £28,020 for the 138bhp diesel. There's a £680 premium for the 168bhp diesel, with the petrol model costing £28,435.

The Tiguan R-Line is available to order now, with the first cars arriving in January 2013.