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From the Hyundai i30 N and Toyota GR Yaris to the Nissan Juke Nismo and Mini Countryman JCW – there hasn’t been any shortage of go-fast models in all shapes and sizes hitting Australian showrooms in recent years.
But one brand – Volkswagen – has been noticeable conspicuous from all the action.
Sure, it brought in the Golf GTI TCR and farewelled the seventh-generation Golf R with a Final Edition, but where is the fresh metal to take on newcomers?
Well, the time appears to be nearing for Volkswagen enthusiasts, with no less than four performance models on the horizon – three of them coming with the hardcore R badge.
Golf GTI
The first of Volkswagen’s performance models to hit local showrooms will be the venerable Golf GTI, based on the brand’s eight-generation small car.
The formula is much the same as it was before, with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine sending out 180kW/370Nm through to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
A front limited-slip differential will be standard on Aussie cars though, ensuring speed can be carried through the corners.
What is new is a fresh exterior design with LED lighting, a modernised interior with digital instrument display and pricing, which is expected to drop sometime soon.
For reference, the current auto-only wears a $47,190 before on-road costs sticker price.
Golf R
For those that think the Golf GTI is a bit too tame, the Golf R could fit the bill.
On the outside, the R scores two more exhaust outlets, a larger roof-mounted rear spoiler and a more aggressive bumper for an even racier look.
Backing up the boy racer looks is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, but tuned to deliver 235kW/420Nm – 22kW/40Nm more than before.
With drive sent to all four wheels, the Golf R can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.7 seconds.
And if that wasn’t enough, recent photos have surfaced purporting the existence of a Golf R Plus, which will belt out 245kW.
Buyers will have to wait until early 2022 for the new Golf R though, with pricing expected to sit around the current car’s $57,990 asking price.
Tiguan R
A performance mainstream mid-size SUV? The Tiguan R could be a pioneer in Australia if no one else beats Volkswagen to the punch with this car due in 2022.
With a familiar 2.0-litre turbo-petrol under the bonnet, the Tiguan R punches out a meaty 235kW/420Nm, but wraps it in a practical package big enough to ferry the family.
Paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the all-paw Tiguan R also boasts torque vectoring to ensure the mid-size SUV can slingshot out of the corners.
Quad exhaust tips and a more aggressive body kit ensure the Tiguan R has the road presence to match its performance, which will easily outpunch existing cars like the 170kW/420Nm Mazda CX-5 2.5-litre turbo petrol and 183kW/387Nm Ford Escape.
The Tiguan R won’t arrive until 2022 though, but Volkswagen’s facelifted mid-size SUV range will hit local showrooms soon with a 162TSI variant to tide over performance-hungry customers until then.
T-Roc R
Revealed all the way back in early 2019, the T-Roc R won’t be hitting Australian showrooms until later in 2022 alongside the facelifted small SUV range.
Power comes courtesy of a familiar 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, with the current car outputting 221kW/400Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
With launch control in tow, the T-Roc R will blitz the 0-100km/h run in 4.9 seconds, which will be more than a match for the upcoming 206kW Hyundai Kona N hot SUV.
Essentially a Golf R on stilts, the T-Roc R also scores a number of equipment changes such as sporty suspension, larger brakes, bucket seats and more.
Don’t expect the T-Roc R to come cheap though, and if the Golf R is any indication, the hot small SUV could be priced up around $60,000.
Arteon R
The Arteon will make its return to Australian showrooms this year in facelifted form, but the decision to bring in the flagship R variant is still undecided.
Available overseas in four-door liftback and five-door wagon (yum) forms, the Arteon R makes use of – you guessed it – a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, delivering 235kW/420Nm.
As with the other R-badged models, the flagship Arteon sends drive to all four wheels via a seven-speed DCT, enabling a 0-100km/h acceleration time of around 5.0 seconds.
With the old Arteon costing $65,490 at launch with a 206kW engine, the R version could break the $70,000 barrier if it were to be offered locally.
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