Volkswagen T-Roc R priced under $60K

The 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc R has been officially confirmed for Australia, where it will top the facelifted small SUV range by August, priced at $59,300 plus on-road costs.

First revealed in February 2019 and now in production for Australia, the T-Roc R will be the fourth instalment of Volkswagen Australia’s ‘Year of the R’, following this month’s new 2022 VW Golf R hatch and wagon, and Tiguan R.

The Touareg R, Volkswagen Australia’s first plug-in hybrid model, will follow in November this year.

Effectively a high-riding Golf R Wagon, which is priced more than $10,000 higher at $68,990 plus ORCs (the same as the Tiguan R), the T-Roc R was previously ruled out for Australia because it was fitted with a petrol particulate filter (PPF) that Volkswagen said could not cope with the high sulphur content in local petrol.

A PPF is essential for Euro 6 emissions compliance in Europe, where the maximum sulphur content of petrol is capped at 10 parts per million, and requires premium 98-octane unleaded petrol in Australia, where fuel can contain up to 50ppm of sulphur in premium unleaded and 150ppm in regular unleaded.

However, while Australia’s Golf R hatch and Tiguan R models will not come with a PPF at least initially, the Golf R Wagon – and the T-Roc R – will arrive Down Under with a PPF, resulting in different engine outputs.

All four R models are powered by Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder, but while both Golf Rs and the Tiguan R offer 235kW of power, the T-Roc R will be limited to 221kW. And, confusingly, while the Golf R Wagon delivers 420Nm of torque, the Golf R hatch, Tiguan R and T-Roc R are all restricted to 400Nm.

Nevertheless, all those numbers are up on Australia’s previous Golf R (213kW/380Nm), which hit 100km/h in 4.8 seconds. The new Golf R hatch lowers that to 4.7sec, while the new Golf R Wagon (4.9sec), all-new T-Roc R (4.9sec) and Tiguan R (5.1sec) are slightly slower.

Like both Golf Rs and the Tiguan R, the T-Roc R will come standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive, but it lacks the torque vectoring functionality – and therefore the Drift Mode – of the Golf and Tiguan R-cars.

Based on the upcoming facelift of the original T-Roc launched here in early 2020, the 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc R is claimed to bring class-leading performance, technology and safety, with key chassis upgrades including a lower ride height, Adaptive Chassis Control with Race Mode and Progressive Steering.

The range-topping T-Roc will be distinguished by Estoril 19-inch alloy wheels (with space-saver spare), quad exhaust outlets, blue brake callipers, premium LED tail-lights with dynamic indicators, exterior ambient lighting, IQ lights (Matrix headlights with dynamic light assist), illuminated grille strip with R logo and anodised aluminium trim, matte-chromed mirrors, roof spoiler and gloss-black rear diffuser.

Inside, apart from a new soft-touch dashboard that features on all upgraded T-Rocs this year, there’s a new dual-zone climate control panel and piano-black inlays, plus Nappa leather-appointed trim, heated sports front seats, black rooflining, tinted rear glass, powered/memory driver’s seat and a sports leather multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles.

Tech highlights include the Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster, a 9.2-inch Discover Pro touch-screen infotainment system with navigation, voice and gesture control, DAB+ digital radio, wireless and wired App-Connect (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and wireless phone charging, plus Keyless Access and an electric tailgate with Easy Open and Close.

The Volkswagen IQ.DRIVE safety suite includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and a reversing camera, plus Travel Assist, Active Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Side Assist, Park Assist, Rear View Camera and IQ.LIGHT matrix LED headlights with Dynamic Light Assist.

All paint colours are standard, including Pure White, Lapiz Blue Premium Metallic, Kings Red Premium Metallic, Pyrite Silver Metallic, Indium Grey Metallic and Deep Black Pearl Effect.

Options extend to Lapiz Blue matte decor inlays ($250), a 300W six-speaker Beats audio system ($750), panoramic sunroof ($2000) and Black Style Package ($1200) including a black roof, roof rails, mirrors and roofline decorative trim, plus carbon-look C-pillar trim and black surrounds for the interior air vents and audio.

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