New Volkswagen T-Roc R gets 296bhp and £38k price tag

The new, high-performance Volkswagen T-Roc R is on sale now, with prices starting from £38,450. It’s the second model Volkswagen’s R division has launched this year, following the new Golf R into showrooms. It’s also the first R-branded performance SUV since the 345bhp V10-engined Touareg R50 was launched back in 2007.

Choosing the T-Roc as a base for VW’s next R model was something of a no-brainer for VW; it’s one of the brand’s biggest sellers behind the Golf and Polo, and uses the same running gear and engine as the existing Golf R.

• Best fast family cars on sale

The Volkswagen T-Roc R is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 296bhp and 400Nm of torque. It feeds its power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (no manual is available), and delivers a 0–62mph time of 4.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

Styling revisions over the standard T-Roc include a new, aggressive R design body kit, 19-inch alloy wheels, flared wheel arches and a ride height lowered by 20mm. It’s offered in a range of striking paint finishes (including Turmeric Yellow, Flash Red and Energetic Orange), all of which come with a contrasting black roof and mirror caps.

The T-Roc R’s makeover is less dramatic inside, with fabric sports seats (Nappa leather items are a £2,155 option) and a flat-bottomed R-branded steering wheel being the main visual changes. A new “Race” setting has been added to the car’s selectable driving modes, while electronically controlled adjustable dampers are offered as an £695 extra.

The T-Roc R made its debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. It joins a rapidly expanding class of compact performance SUVs from the Volkswagen Group stable, with the Audi SQ2 and Cupra Ateca acting as its direct rivals.

What do you make of the new Volkswagen T-Roc R? Let us know in the comments section below…