The new Volkswagen Tiguan R has already been spotted at the Nürburgring

A few months ago, we discovered that Volkswagen had some rather interesting plans in store for its immediate future. Besides the Golf R, Touareg R and T-Roc R, there will be two more models carrying this emblem that stirs so much passion. We are referring to the Arteon and the Tiguan, two vehicles that, tired of living in the shadow of their sporty cousins from Audi, are going to flex their muscles with a more performance-oriented version , as the Tiguan R test mule spotted running around the Nürburgring shows us.

The German SUV has always been a promising basis for bringing another sports vehicle to life within Volkswagen. Now, the engineers of the German brand have taken advantage of the fact that the Tiguan is due for a facelift to include an R variant, which promises to go head to head with models such as the CUPRA Ateca, the Audi SQ5 or the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43.

For now, the Wolfsburg company has not released any official information about this future variant of one of its longest-serving SUVs, but pictures taken before the lockdown confirm it will become a reality. An indiscreet photographer managed to capture the Tiguan R driving on the asphalt of the Nürburgring, where it is being tested to polish every last detail.

Test mules try to conceal every detail of the production model but, even so, we can make out certain features that will be present in the final model, such as. The front is accentuated by a rougher, more aggressive bumper, with two air intakes that hint at the power level this Tiguan R will carry. The rear gives the same impression, with a dual exhaust outlet, although it is possible that it will ultimately be quad.

Mechanically, we can expect it to share its engine with the upcoming Golf R 8, a model whose engine and performance details have already leaked. Given this premise, it is reasonable to expect the Tiguan R to use a turbocharged four-cylinder engine combined with mild-hybrid technology, which could raise its total output to 350 CV.

https://youtu.be/M9nJY8DxjTk

Given the health and economic context we are living in right now, it is difficult to pin down an exact date for its presentation. However, it is very likely to be revealed before the end of the year, making it one of the main new releases at the 2021 Geneva Motor Show.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverVolkswagen Tiguan14 versions · from 36,150 €