If you’re after a compact SUV that offers hot hatch levels of performance, the VW T-Roc R might just be the vehicle for you.
Driving the T-Roc R is the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine used by the Mk7 and Mk7.5 Golf R models, rated at a respectable 296 hp (300 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. This engine is coupled to a 4Motion all-wheel drive system complete with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Off the line, VW says the T-Roc R can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in a very respectable 4.9 seconds. However, when put to the test by CarWow, an even more impressive time of 4.2 seconds was recorded. That’s not to be sneezed at and is the sort of acceleration that snaps your head back and pushes you back hard into the seat.
Watch Also: With Almost 300 HP, VW’s T-Roc R Sure Is Fast, But How Does It Fare In The Real World?
It’s not just the engine that differentiates the T-Roc R from lesser T-Roc models. VW has equipped the SUV with sports suspension that makes it very capable through twisty roads, much like the Golf R. Other key features include progressive steering, launch control, customizable driving settings, quad exhausts, 18-inch Spielberg alloy wheels, and an upgraded braking system.
The example tested by CarWow was painted in a lovely shade of blue and came adorned with a host of gloss black parts. It also featured a host of intriguing matte blue accent parts in the cabin, as well as a digital instrument cluster.