New Volkswagen T-Roc R gets 296bhp and £38k price tag
The hot, new Volkswagen T-Roc R is available to order in the UK now, with prices starting from £38,450
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.
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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.
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