The Volkswagen Tiguan R has proven to be a sales success both here in Australia and around the world, but the German brand hasn’t committed to a successor – at least for now…
Speaking with CarExpert at the Australian media launch of the updated Golf R Mk8.5, head of sales and marketing at the Volkswagen R performance division, Pedro Martinez Diaz, left the door open to a new go-fast Tiguan.
“I would never say no. The Tiguan [R] was very successful in Europe and Australia… we’ll see,” Mr Martinez Diaz said.
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Pictured: Previous-generation Volkswagen Tiguan R
First revealed in 2020, the Volkswagen Tiguan R was a fully-fledged performance hero of the second-generation Tiguan lineup, packing the same 235kW/420Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine as the Mk8 Golf R hot hatch.
Australia got a slightly milder 400Nm tune due our market not receiving a petrol particulate filter (PPF) like the European specification, but even with 20Nm less torque the hot mid-size SUV could dash from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.1 seconds.
It proved popular in Australia too, despite a price tag eclipsing $70,000 before on-road costs. While VW Australia hasn’t quoted actual sales figures, demand often outstripped supply locally, prompting the brand’s local arm to offer a 300-unit run of Grid Editions which went without some luxury features during the global semiconductor shortage.
For the new, third-generation Tiguan range, the most potent variant currently is the 195TSI R-Line, which loses out on some grunt and performance, but ups it on luxury features and tech – read the full price and specs here.
No doubt VW’s R division could easily slip the latest Golf R’s 245kW/420Nm turbocharged drivetrain under the latest Tiguan, which now rides on the same newer MQB Evo underpinnings as the German hatchback, as well as a slew of other models like the Cupra Formentor, Leon and Audi S3.
Pictured: 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan 195TSI R-Line
However, tightening emissions regulations in Europe and the UK likely put an all-out performance version of the third-gen Tiguan on the backburner given the nameplate’s popularity, and the need to meet fleet emissions targets with a larger car.
Overseas there’s also a 200kW/400Nm Tiguan eHybrid PHEV which sits alongside the 195TSI-spec petrol Tiguan, though its FWD-only design means its 0-100km/h pace pales compared to the 195TSI’s 5.8-second acceleration and the old R’s 5.1-second time.
While the PHEV can’t beat its combustion-only contemporaries in a drag race, it’ll do over 100km of EV-only driving per charge and quotes combined fuel consumption of just 0.4L/100km with a full battery, so you can see why this drivetrain may have received preference over a new R.
Let us know in the comments if you’d like to see a new-generation Volkswagen Tiguan R!