Car Advice

2009 Volkswagen Tiguan R Line model

By George Skentzos |

An aggressive new model is set to join the Tiguan range with the introduction of the new R Line spec variant which adds new exterior highlights and enhanced interior comforts.

Designed and produced by Volkswagen Individual, a special engineering wing of Volkswagen responsible for the Passat R36 and Touareg R50, the new Tiguan R Line offers a significant visual overhaul over the standard model but unfortunately no improvement in performance.

Its new look is achieved by a new body-coloured front splitter which sits below the front bumper along with a unique matt chrome grille section together with blistered wheels arches which frame new R Line 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 255/40 tyres.

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Subtle body-colour sill extensions complete with matt chrome highlights flow onto the new rear bumper with small diffuser, with the look completed by a small spoiler which sits at the top of the rear window.

Inside the Tiguan R Line features a new flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel plus a set of contoured sports seats complete with ‘R’ logos and aluminium R Line pedals and trim.

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Advanced 2Zone climate control is also fitted as standard in addition to the range of standard equipment fitted to the Sport model including four airbags, automatic lights, front fog lights, rain sensors and sports suspension.

The new R Line model is available fitted with a range of efficient 2.0-litre TDI common rail diesel engines in 103kW and 125kW outputs as well as a 2.0-litre TSI engine developing 147kW.


 
  • HAL

    no increase in performance? doesn’t that just dilute the purpose of having the R Line series? So you get some spoiler kit action and a nice set of wheels – and knowing VW you’ll probably have to pay through the nose for it. Doesn’t make a lot of sense.

  • Simon

    What HAL said………….
    Makes an absolute mockery of the “R” line.
    They have now diminished any prestige attached to it.
    Sorry VW, this is a joke and the buyers of “R” badged Tiguan are obviously suckers.
    Why didn’t you come up with another spec label? Anything but “R”! Surely it’s not that hard???
    “A”, “B”, “C” spec ect. ect. ARGGGGGHHHHHHH!

    I hereby pronounce this model as “P” spec for “PRETENDER”.
    Welcome to the new P spec tiguan!

  • ODOG

    I agree not much point really.

  • Jimbo

    I agree with all said above. Not much left to say…Pointless!

  • Neo Utopia

    Dito from, a pretend R model, what a shame.

  • Kirium

    Folks, this is not a stand alone “R” model. It’s not a Tiguan R20T. It’s just a Tig with an R-Line styling pack.

    VW have done this before with an R-Line packages for Passat, Golf, Touareg and Touran 2007, but the R36, R32 and R50 are all clearly and totally separate models.

    It’s no different to BMW making M-sport packages available on a 320i or 530i, where the M3 and M5 are totally separate models.

  • Kirium

    I’ll add that Volkswagen Individual makes these R line styling packs available overseas (mainly the local German market), and I’m not aware they’ve ever been sold here locally.

    http://www.volkswagen.de/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/de3/unternehmen/konzern/individual.html

  • Alex

    Oh, that’s sad that is. There’s something so pointless about blinged up compact SUVs. I can stand any other body shape, even full sized SUVs but these just don’t work.
    I agree that no performance gain is a bit disappointing but as Kirium wrote, M Sport packages are the same.

    Anybody still want an Outlander GT? Oh wait, nobody did in the first place.

  • Shak

    Kirium ur correct. i went onto the site and they alrady have R packs for low end jetta’s and Pasaat’s.

  • Will

    A bit of form over function. Nothing wrong with that given the donor machines are very functional. I’ll sip my latte to that.

  • Mark

    Same as S-Line in Audi, no performance upgrades, just the looks, but the S-Line Audi A4 sells well, so I guess they are just trying to bump up the profit margins a little, which you definitely cannot blame them for. The people buying these cars aren’t real interested in performance anyway I don’t imagine.

  • http://www.AUSringers.com Liam

    As Kirium and Mark have said, R Line and R models are two different things. It’s pretty simple, an R followed by a number (eg. R32 etc al) is a performance model. R Line, as pointed out, is simply a styling package.

    I thought VW Aus were away with the fairies when they told GoAuto that the Tiguan R Line would not be coming to Australia because people would get confused. Well, I was wrong, haha!

  • HAL

    fair enough people, apologies. It is clear what VW are doing here, R Line as opposed to R model. As Mark said, similar to Audi with S models and S Line. My mistake, thanks for the clarification.

  • FrugalOne

    This looks pretty much like the artists impression of next years Hyundai Tucson 135x?

    Same colour show? WTF?

    Cheers

    F-0