Volkswagen has announced the most powerful Tiguan to date: the Tiguan R. With a power output of 320 ps, the SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, it is claimed. The capability comes from the EA888 evo4 TSI turbocharged engine which also generates up to 420 Nm between 2,100 rpm and 5,350 rpm.
Developed by Volkswagen R
The Tiguan flagship was developed by Volkswagen R, the carmaker’s high-performance division. It’s not just the impressive performance that characterises the Tiguan R but also the extensively customised equipment. The exterior has R-designed bumpers with aerodynamic elements in high-gloss black or matching the body colour chosen by the customer.
The exterior mirror covers are in matt chrome and there is a unique and also high-gloss black rear diffuser, black wheel housing extensions and 20-inch Misano alloy wheels (21-inch available as option). The exterior of the Tiguan R can also be personalised with the Black Style design package.
Exclusive interior fittings
Inside, the Tiguan R sets presents a sportier ambience with features such as stainless steel pedals, premium sport seats that have integrated head restraints and R logo developed exclusively for this version. The Digital Cockpit, a highlight of the latest generation of Volkswagens, is additionally customised with an integrated lap timer and sports R-specific decorative trim in Carbon Grey. The decorative trim elements are illuminated via the background lighting.
New 4MOTION all-wheel drive system
Power from the 4-cylinder engine, with a 7-speed DSG, is distributed to four wheels by the new all-wheel drive system. This is the 4MOTION system with R-Performance Torque Vectoring. Volkswagen engineers have incorporated a rear final drive with two multiplate clutches for the first time which not only distributes power between the front and rear axles but also variably between the left and right rear wheels.
With the new all-wheel drive system, Volkswagen claims that there is noticeably improved handling agility when cornering, making the Tiguan R’s driving dynamics a new benchmark for SUVs.
Other technical R equipment includes a powerful 18-inch brake system with blue brake calipers, a DCC chassis (with adaptively controlled shock absorbers) lowered by 10 mm, and a driving profile selection enhanced for the Tiguan R with an additional R profile. This particularly sporty mode can be activated directly by means of a blue R button on the new multifunction sports steering wheel. The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) can be deactivated by drivers who are skilled and want to explore the performance limits.
As standard, the Tiguan R comes with a 4-branch sports exhaust system but customers can also choose the optionally available titanium exhaust system from Akrapovic and 21-inch Estoril alloy wheels.
Volkswagen’s bestseller globally
While many may think the Golf is Volkswagen’s bestselling model, that is not so and the Tiguan is its bestselling model today. It is relatively young in the carmaker’s range, having been introduced in 2007. However, that coincided with the rapid growth in the SUV segment globally, and with the timing being right, sales rocketed.
The annual volumes have increased almost eightfold since the first full year of production. In 2019, one in seven of the 6.18 million Volkswagen vehicles manufactured was a Tiguan, for a total of 910,926 units. In fact, a Tiguan left the production line every 35 seconds last year – a new record for the model.
