Volkswagen Tiguan R revealed: Performance SUV could head to Australia

One of the country’s most popular cars from Volkswagen is about to get a makeover and a first-of-its-kind variant could head down under.

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan R.

Volkswagen’s popular Tiguan SUV is getting a makeover.

The German brand says the mid-size family-hauler is in line for some big tech upgrades along with some styling tweaks.

And for the first time there will be an R performance version.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan R could be headed to Australia.

Sitting atop the range, the Tiguan R will be an all-wheel drive proposition fitted with torque vectoring technology which provides variable power to all four wheels.

Power for the R comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which is expected to make 235kw and 420Nm. Like the Golf R, it will be matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

There are a number of sporty styling upgrades, too, with black gloss exterior highlights and a sports exhaust. While inside front seat passengers are treated to sports seats.

Bigger brakes will provide superior stopping power and there will be several driving settings including a track mode.

Advanced torque vectoring tech enhances the SUV’s driving dynamics.

Volkswagen Australia hasn’t confirmed whether the R would be sold in Australia.

A spokesman for the brand says: “We’d love to offer [the Tiguan R]. Australia remains one of the biggest markets worldwide for R cars, so it would be a perfect fit for us.”

If the Tiguan R lands down under it will join the soon to be revealed Golf R hot hatch and the under consideration Arteon R wagon in an expanded performance line-up.

This new range could herald the return to a family of high-performance R models for Volkswagen. The brand previously offered V10-powered Touareg and V6-powered Passat and Golf models before downsizing to the single turbocharged Golf R hatch and wagon in showrooms today.

The Tiguan’s styling gets a makeover.

Regular Tiguans score a new look, which is more in line with the new Golf small car due next year, along with the new Touareg family SUV. This entails a refreshed grille, new look headlights and a handsome boxy silhouette.

Inside is where the big changes occur.

There is updated autonomous driving tech that allows for assisted driving up to 210km/h.

The brand’s latest infotainment tech boosts functionality with an increase in online based services.

New smartphone style touch controls replace the steering wheel control buttons.

VW’s digital display suite combines its excellent 10.25-inch digital cockpit with an eight-inch central touchscreen, the same optional set-up found in current Volkswagens such as the T-Roc.

A new steering wheel features smartphone-style touch controls compared to the current version’s buttons and climate controls are also touch sensitive rather than conventional dials.

The new Tiguan will land in Australia next year.

Volkswagen also showed off a new plug-in hybrid version, but the petrol-electric SUV is unlikely to be offered in Australia.

The updated Tiguan is expected to land in showrooms in 2021, full details will be revealed closer to the car’s launch date.