Automobile club Luxembourg

Volkswagen is undergoing a revolution. The German carmaker has given its most popular SUV the R name, which until recently was reserved for the Golf. The result is the Tiguan R, which is one of the most exciting cars on the road.

The Tiguan R’s beautiful blue colour (metallic lapiz blue), reduced body height, oversized 21-inch wheels, silver mirror housings (like its sporty cousins from Audi) and four aggressive tailpipes make it an imposing vehicle at first sight. So much for the “I’ve seen it all before” aspect of the design.
 
This is a fast car. Very fast. Almost as if the engineers at Wolfsburg had decided that it was time to push the envelope a little further. The Tiguan R reveals its true character when it’s pushed to the limit.
 
Despite the 1750 kg curb weight to push, the 2.0 TSI with 320 hp does not waver. You have to admit that the beast’s phenomenal torque has something to do with it, as does its distribution across all four wheels. Volkswagen’s ‘Performance Torque Vectoring’ on the R versions ensures that the torque is distributed between the front and rear axles, as well as between the left and right rear wheels. Theoretically, 100% of the torque can be sent to the outside rear wheel in a tight corner to pivot the rear of the car nimbly.
 
The Tiguan R’s throaty sound is brought to life in R mode with the clattering of the exhaust pipes, making it even more conspicuous on the road. So much for discretion, but it’s a lot of fun.