VW Tiguan R (spyshot)


VW was caught testing an R-branded example near the company’s test facilities in Nurburgring. While the car pictured here is wearing the same body kit and large wheels with the regular models equipped with the R-Line trim level, you can tell that something is going on from its quad exhaust pipes.

VW has likely installed the same turbocharged EA888 2.0-litre engine that powers the range-topping Golf, which there makes 296 hp. Earlier reports suggested that the company had binned the idea of a performance Tiguan but now we have solid proof of their intentions.


The engine could be updated in order to offer even more horsepower while the suspension bits and the brakes would be accordingly beefed up to match the newfound performance levels.


With Seat’s Ateca Cupra prototype already spotted wearing what looks like a full production trim, VW’s choice to bring out a faster, more fun-to-drive Tiguan certainly makes sense.