The VW T-Roc R Is A Hot, Golf-Like Crossover With 296bhp
Want a Golf R with just a little more ground clearance and a slightly loftier driving position? Step right this way, and let us introduce you to the new VW T-Roc R.
Based on VW’s Golf-sized crossover, its setup will sound awfully familiar: up front, there’s a 296bhp ‘EA888’ inline-four turbo, which drives all four wheels via a Haldex clutch-based four-wheel drive system.
It has the same 17-inch braking system as the Golf range-topper, along with lower, stiffer suspension and progressive steering which tightens the ratio the more you turn the wheel. Thanks to the healthy power output and the standard-fit seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (there’s no manual option), it’ll do 0-62mph 4.9 seconds, which is a drop of 0.2sec compared to the Golf R.
The T-Roc R’s oh-so-predictable recipe continues with the looks: it’s had a very understaded makeover. There’s a new and very shiny front grille, slightly meaner front and rear bumpers, mildly widened arches, a small boot spoiler, and quad tailpipes. Oh, and plenty of ‘R’ badges. 18-inch wheels are fitted from the factory, or if you want, the R can be optioned with 19-inch ‘Pretoria’ rims.
The ‘Lapiz Blue Metallic’ used for the car you see here is exclusive to the R, but if you don’t fancy it, there are plenty of other options like ‘Pure White Uni’, ‘Energetic Orange Metallic’ and ‘Indium Grey Metallic’ to pick from. Take a look inside, and you’ll find a flat-bottom steering wheel, and yet more R logos.
VW has given a price for the car yet, but we’d expect the hot T-Roc to be slightly more than a five-door Golf R when it goes on sale this Autumn.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
It’s a crossover that can’t cross over anything.
TF is the point?
I can only think of one - buy them second hand to extract the drivetrain for swaps.
Comfort, more suspension travel allows you to make a softer suspension without risking bottoming out
It’ll sell better. That’s the main thing
Crossovers are selling like frickin hot cakes and hot ones are gonna sell even more
iT’s A sUv,it gives status symbol
Why?
Because it will probably sell more than the Golf R so why not?
Ugh. Performance crossovers drive me insane! Hell, normal crossovers drive me insane!
What even is the point of them? Often they are out classed by hatchbacks in terms of cargo space, headroom, and leg room. What possible benefit is there?!
Why the golf r is easily the worst of the performance hatchbacks so why make it even worse?
How is it the worst lol
Explain? Can’t go around making statements like that without an opinion or evidence to back it up
This looks pretty cool! Definitely s neat car!
I thought you were dead!
Imagine working your ass off to become an engineer and then you get to work on a crossover.
Even worse, imagine working your ass of to become an engineer and then work your ass of even more to get into a performance division, then get to work on a crossover.
Still better then working your ass off to get from VW into Audi performance division to get to work on fake exhausts on a crossover
Imagine being a famous NASCAR driver and dailying a Prius (Kyle Petty)
I think these are pretty cool. Big fan of the forester here. Forester STI is a thing. SG5 Sti 320hp, barely any slower than wrx sti, mostly due to suspention travel and softness more so than weight as the first couple Forester gens at least weighed about 40kg more than the impreza wagon. A bit more ground clearance, and a bit more room.
What I do not get are crossovers that are fwd.
Like why do they need ground clearance and the crossover moniker and barely be able to get anywhere? Lol.
STOP
“I want a Golf R but worse and more expensive.”
There’s no doubt it’s gonna sell like hot cakes but I’ll take a Golf R wagon thank you
I knew this was cominh