Is a more powerful Volkswagen Tiguan R in the works?

The Golf R hatchback may not be the only Volkswagen R product in line for a power boost, as an overseas owner’s manual indicates the Tiguan will be next.

A more powerful 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R performance SUV looks to be on the way, according to details published by Volkswagen overseas.

Listed on a page in the back of the Tiguan’s UK owner’s manual is a new variant of Volkswagen’s familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine not currently offered on the SUV, developing 245kW and 420Nm.

Up 10kW over the current Tiguan R sold in Europe – or 10kW/20Nm over Australian examples – the new engine tune made its Volkswagen debut on the Golf R 20 Years special edition revealed last week, and due in Australia later this year.

Crucially, the 20 Years edition’s 245kW/420Nm tune will soon spread across to the standard Golf R range – opening the door for the Tiguan R to follow suit in the coming years, given the similarities under the skin between the vehicles.

It remains to be seen if the power boost is offered on series-production models, or a limited edition akin to the Golf R 20 Years.

The latter option appears increasingly likely, as the current-generation Tiguan range – launched overseas in non-R form in 2016 – approaches the end of its life cycle, and Volkswagen looks to keep it fresh ahead of a new model, expected around 2024 or 2025.

In its current form, the 235kW/420Nm European-market Tiguan R is capable of a 4.9-second 0-100km/h time (or 5.1 seconds in Australian models). Expect the extra 10kW to shave around a tenth from the quicker of the two times.

If the 245kW/420Nm tune is offered in Europe, it’s likely to result in Australian models featuring an emissions-busting petrol particulate filter, which is not currently fitted as part of the 400Nm engine tune on the current 235kW model (click here for more details).

In 235kW/400Nm form, the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R is priced from $68,990 plus on-road costs.

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