220kW Volkswagen T-Roc R previewed

An official design sketch of a hot hatch-chasing Volkswagen T-Roc R has been released online ahead of the hot small SUV's launch at next month's Geneva motor show.

Set to be equipped with the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder as the current Golf R, the all-wheel drive Volkswagen T-Roc R is expected to produce around 220kW of power and 400Nm of toque.

Combined with the same seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, the slightly heavier Volkswagen T-Roc should still hit 100km/h in less than five seconds and top out at 250km/h.

Featuring a honeycomb grille and larger lower air intakes to feed more cool air to the high-performance engine, the faster T-Roc R gets larger 19-inch wheels that are thought to hide a big brake package.

Based on the same Volkswagen Group MQB platform as the Golf, heavily camouflaged T-Roc Rs have already been spotted testing at the Nurburgring.

It's there, at the industry's favourite proving ground, that engineers have been putting the finishing touches to the T-Roc's bespoke suspension set-up that's likely to include adaptive dampers.

Volkswagen is almost certain to tease the T-Roc R again ahead of its Geneva unveiling. Shortly after the Swiss show sales will begin in Europe.

When and if it will venture Down Under is uncertain following news the regular T-Roc has been hit with big delays that won't see the standard car arrive here until early 2020.

As well as the hot T-Roc R, Volkswagen is also currently developing a T-Roc Cabriolet that will rival the next-generation Range Rover Evoque.