Behold, the test mule for the upcoming Volkswagen Tiguan R. As in, a full-blooded R variant rather than a standard Tiguan dressed up with trim, body kit and larger wheels.
How do we know this? Our spy photographer source who spotted this undisguised SUV tells us that this particular Tiguan was rather loud, and very fast.
The quad oval tailpipe finishers suggest that it could well adopt the 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine from the Mk7 Golf R, which itself is due for an update soon. Given that this test mule is an MQB-based, second-generation Tiguan, it can be expected to use a development of the engine that will serve in the updated Golf R, quite likely to be based on the EA888 currently serving in the present Mk7 model.
Further along the driveline, more of the Golf R’s DNA can be expected in the Tiguan R, with possibly a development of the hot hatchback’s Haldex all-wheel-drive system adopted to help the SUV put all that power to the road. Expect changes to the chassis too, in order to keep up with the uprated powertrain; though standard brakes appear to reside behind the larger wheels, that can be expected to receive upgrades too.
With the updated mk7 Golf set for debut later this year, the fast Tiguan can be expected to follow closely behind it, given that test mules for the updated Golf were spotted not too long ago.
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Why not..cheaper yet more capable Macan.
Give us the lap-time
At least there is one VW look nice.
Volvo XC60 > All
yup this looks good. the current one looks like a lizard.
Best looking Tiguan with a potent engine.