Volkswagen Tiguan R coming

High-performance SUVs have typically been based on luxury models from the prestige brands, such as the Audi Q3, Q5 and Q7, the BMW X5 and X6, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC, GLE and GLS.

Indeed, in SUV-mad, performance-hungry Australia, some Audi S/RS, BMW M and Mercedes AMG fettled SUVs are among the most popular (and most profitable) variants of their respective model ranges — such as the SQ5, which is the most popular Q5 model.

Now Volkswagen looks set to embark on a hi-po SUV journey that could see several of the mainstream German brand’s SUV models beefed up with more performance.

Two models singled out for GTI or even R treatment are the new-generation Tiguan and upcoming T-Roc baby SUV set for Australian release by 2019.

Talking to motoring.com.au during this week’s launch of the Mk7.5 Golf GTI, Volkswagen Group Australia product marketing manager Jeff Shafer said VW’s SUV product portfolio will be expanded over the next few years and that high-performance models will play an important part in Australia.

"We think R GmbH is part of the Volkswagen DNA. Fun to drive is something we want to deliver to the people. If you look at customer surveys, VW has one of the highest ratings in terms of driving fun, and [some customers respond] "that's why I bought a VW".

"So I'd love to see Golf R spread to other models and I think that applies equally to passenger cars as well as SUVs," he said.

Next year’s new Polo hatch appears likely to join Volkswagen’s hot R model range, which currently comprises the Golf and Scirocco, and sits one tier above GTI models like the Polo and Golf.

But apart from the discontinued Touareg R50, a beastly 257kW/850Nm V10 diesel-powered version of the outgoing Touareg, Volkswagen has never really been gung-ho with go-fast SUVs.

That looks set to change, however, with reports that a 200kW-plus Golf R-powered Tiguan is almost ready to rumble.

"I think it would be a formula that would work for us here. I would love to see it and I'm hoping the R&D guys can come up with something,” said Shafer.

The VW product planner was careful not to officially confirm the Tiguan R, but was clearly enthused by the idea and is pushing hard for it internally within VW.

"There's no plans in place at the moment but it's something that we always bring up with our German colleagues and let them know about the opportunities we see.

"We'll be talking to them to see what they can deliver. Fingers crossed," he added

Volkswagen already offers a Golf GTI-spec 162kW turbo-petrol version of the Tiguan that’s been very popular with customers and Shafer indicated its strong sales make the business case for a Tiguan R more viable.

"That engine's basically straight out of a Golf GTI and the response to that has been very, very good. So that gives us a bit of leverage to go back and show it's not just wishful thinking or a couple of enthusiast product planners who are saying this, but it's the market responding to these combinations of performance engine with the SUV."

At this stage it’s not clear whether Volkswagen’s first SUV R treatment will be applied to the new Tiguan, which will soon be joined by a seven-seat version dubbed Tiguan Allspace, or a third ‘coupe’ derivative that was previewed by the Tiguan GTE concept (pictured).

Volkswagen Australia has another ace up its SUV sleeve in the form of special-edition vehicles.

It's already announced the Golf GTI Original and Golf R Grid Edition, which are unique to Australia, and it could tap the Tiguan and T-Roc for limited-edition high-performance variants in future.

Today VW announced the Tiguan Adventure model priced from $43,990, and go-fast special-editions would not only follow the Golf’s lead but bolster its top-selling SUV model in the face of a potential Golf sales slide like the one already happening in Europe, partly as a result of Tiguan substitution.

After the Tiguan R, the next high-performance SUV to come from the world's biggest car-maker is likely to be the T-Roc R. Although the T-Roc is still yet to go on sale in Australia, its compact size, affordability and global popularity will make it an ideal candidate for an eye-catching, athletic flagship.

Similar in size to the Polo, the higher-riding T-Roc R could share its engine with the upcoming Polo GTI, which is expected to pack a 147kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.

Shafer wouldn't be drawn on whether there's a T-Roc R in the pipeline but he was optimistic about its potential in the Australian market.

"I think that would be an awesome car and I'd be first in line to put my money down for that sort of concept. Both of those trends are very much part of the Australian market -- the SUV but also that performance appeal."