Next-gen Volkswagen Golf R wagon to out-muscle hatch and Tiguan R
The all-new 2022 Volkswagen Golf R hatch will cost $66,990 plus on-road costs when it arrives Down Under in April next year, when the first Volkswagen Tiguan R also hits local showrooms priced at a cool $69,990 plus ORCs.
The new Volkswagen Golf R hatchback’s $67K starting price makes it $11,000 more expensive than the model it belatedly replaces ($55,990), while the inaugural Tiguan R’s $70K price tag will be echoed by the new Golf R Wagon (also $69,990 plus ORCs).
However, while all three R models will deliver 235kW of power from Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, only the Golf R Wagon will produce 420Nm of torque, with both the Tiguan R and Golf R hatch limited to 400Nm.
That’s because Australia’s initial production run of the Golf R and Tiguan R will not will come with the petrol particulate filter (PPF) that is essential for Euro 6 emissions compliance in Europe and demands premium 98-octane unleaded in Australia.
Volkswagen Golf R
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R Wagon will come standard with a PPF and 420Nm when it arrives in Australia later next year.
But it won’t be as quick as the new Golf R hatch, which is lighter and rides on a 50mm shorter wheelbase, and while the Tiguan R will be the slowest of the trio, it’s expected to become Volkswagen’s top-selling R-car in SUV-mad Australia.
Volkswagen’s three new R models will be followed by the new T-Roc R, which arrives as part of a facelifted T-Roc small SUV line-up in August, and the new Touareg R, which will become the German brand’s first plug-in hybrid model in Australia, in November 2022.
The news comes as Australian R-car buyers cement their position as the most committed in the world, with the highest sales outside Europe and a bank of more than 6200 expressions of interest for the new R models.
“2022 will ultimately be the year of the R. Never before have we offered such an expansive range of R models,” said Volkswagen Australia’s product specialist for performance models in a press briefing last week.
“Tiguan is the hottest property in the range. More than one-third of the requests for the R range are for the Tiguan.
“And there is more to come. The extension of R range continues with the T-Roc R, which will have 400Nm.
Volkswagen Tiguan R
“The Touareg R in November is our new halo vehicle. It no longer has a V8 engine but a battery. It will be our first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in Australia.”
But while the first Tiguan R will mostly have the mainstream performance SUV segment to itself and Volkswagen Group Australia says 2022 will be the most important year in its history, the German car-maker admits its semiconductor shortage-related stock issues will linger well into the New Year.
VGA spokesman Paul Pottinger defended the last-minute downgrade of the new Golf R hatch’s power output for Australia, which along with a $1000 cut to compensate early-bird reservations was confirmed after last week’s press conference.
“This provision was made after urgent discussions with the factory… on how best to meet already overwhelming demand,” said Pottinger.
“In reality, and certainly in daily driving, the change would be difficult to discern.”
Volkswagen says the new Golf R hatch is still the most powerful of its breed at 235kW and claims the reduced torque figure only trims 0.1sec from its official 0-100km/h sprint time, which now stands at 4.8 seconds. Customers who are not satisfied will be given a refund of their deposit.
Changes for the R version of the new Golf Mk8 run deep, including a Drift Mode for the hatch and wagon’s all-wheel drive system, while all three new R models (including the Tiguan) will score a torque vectoring 4MOTION set-up to boost cornering grip.
Volkswagen Golf R
The new Golf R hatch and wagon’s seven-speed wet-clutch dual-clutch DSG automatic is controlled by new R-specific shift paddles and the steering wheel has a an ‘R’ button to access the driving profiles – with ‘Nurburgring’ in addition to ‘Drift’ – that also tweak the cars’ adaptive dampers.
In addition, there are performance front brakes, Estoril 19-inch alloys, an extended roof spoiler (hatch only), Matrix LED lights with Dynamic Light Assist, wireless App-Connect for the 10.0-inch Discover Pro infotainment system, Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster, Harman Kardon audio, head-up display, heated and ventilated Sports front seats with Nappa leather trim and driver’s side power adjustment.
The Tiguan R has a similar package, but instead offers Comfort front seats, a smaller 9.2-inch touch-screen and driver’s seat memory, while the claimed 0-100km/h time is reduced to 5.1sec.
A panoramic sunroof is the only Tiguan R option, while the Golf R will be available in Lapiz Blue premium paint.
What’s coming from Volkswagen in 2022:Golf R hatch – AprilTiguan R – AprilPolo facelift and GTI – AprilGolf R Wagon – May TBCTiguan Allspace facelift – MayT-Roc facelift and R – August
Touareg R – November
How much does the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R cost?Hatch – $66,990Wagon – $69,990
* Prices exclude on-road costs
How much does the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R cost?Tiguan R – $69,990
* Prices exclude on-road costs
Keyword: New Volkswagen Golf R and first Tiguan R won’t be cheap