The Volkswagen T-Roc is due for a facelift and during the past months we have seen several prototypes of both the regular, the R-Line, and the Cabriolet versions of the SUV roaming the streets while being completely undisguised. This time, our spy photographers caught the performance flagship of the range – the T-Roc R – without any signs of camouflage.
While the MQB-based T-Roc was unveiled in 2017, the T-Roc R didn’t appear before 2019 as the fastest and most powerful variant, closely related to the previous generation Golf R. The 2022 T-Roc R appears to retain the front bumper of the outgoing model with large intakes, vertically arranged LED lights, and a black decorative frame. However, it does get a redesigned grille that is slimmer and features a redesigned mesh, as well as new LED graphics on the headlights. We can also see a set of 18-inch rims borrowed from the 2022 Golf R.
Changes are quite limited at the back where the vertical inlets on the bumper appear to have grown larger – like in the upcoming R-Line. The taillights are also expected to feature a different signature, even though the prototype is wearing the older units. What differentiates the full-blown R from the sporty R-Line is the diffuser and the quadruple exhaust pipes from Akrapovič. We don’t have any interior shots yet but we expect a digital cockpit with VW’s latest infotainment and a wider range of available driver assistance systems. It’s also possible that VW will finally give the T-Roc the soft-touch upper-dashboard it deserves.
The current T-Roc R is fitted with the familiar 2.0 TSI, which produces a healthy 296 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Like in its hot-hatch sibling, power is sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. There is also a stiffer suspension (with adaptive dampers being an option) and beefier brakes. The facelifted model will most likely retain the same setup with a few updates. There is a chance it could be fitted with a more powerful 2.0 TSI variant producing up to 315 hp and 420 Nm of torque in the 2022 Golf R. However, given that this is a facelift and not a new generation (like the Golf), we are not sure if it will also get the fancy 4Motion all-wheel-drive system featuring a Drift Mode – probably not.
