The Volkswagen T-Roc R is returning! Here’s everything we know so far
Car changing is a big deal
Carwow’s spy photographers have spotted the new Volkswagen T-Roc R out and about during cold-weather testing. Here’s everything you need to know about this new hot SUV, as well as some renders showing what we reckon it’ll look like.
The new Volkswagen T-Roc was revealed last year, and when Mat Watson drove it he was impressed with just how comfortable it is to drive. However, it’s not going to set a petrolhead’s heart racing, and that’s where the new T-Roc R comes in.
We knew this car was coming from the moment the Standard T-Roc was launched, but now we’ve spotted it out and about during development testing for the first time. A full reveal is expected in the next few months, but here’s everything we know so far.
New Volkswagen T-Roc R design: don’t expect any surprises
Volkswagen already offers an R-Line version of the standard T-Roc which looks pretty sporty, so you can expect the full-fat R model to simply build on this.
From these camouflaged spy shots you can see a new front bumper which, while it’s covered with cladding, has larger air intakes than the standard T-Roc. These naff-looking alloy wheels are just for testing purposes though – the production car is likely to have 18- to 19-inch rims with a sporty design.
Moving to the rear you can see a more aggressive-looking lower diffuser with quad tailpipes, just like you get on the Volkswagen Golf R hot hatchback. An upgraded Akrapovic exhaust system could also be on the cards as an option.
We’ve used some computer wizardry to peel back the disguise and give you an idea of what the new T-Roc R will look like. As you can see, we don’t think it’ll be anything revolutionary. Just a subtle, understated performance SUV with just enough sporty details to set it apart.
New Volkswagen T-Roc R: what’s under the bonnet?
While Volkswagen hasn’t confirmed any technical details for the T-Roc R just yet, we can take a pretty educated guess at what’s going on under the skin.
The old T-Roc R was basically a Golf R on stilts, and the new one isn’t expected to be any different. This means there’s almost certainly a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine under the bonnet with 333hp, driving all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
The Golf R will do 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds, but it’s smaller and lighter than the T-Roc. However, the Cupra Formentor is an SUV around the same size as the T-Roc R, and it’s available with exactly the same 333hp engine. It’ll do 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds.
If the Golf R and Formentor are anything to go by, the new Volkswagen T-Roc R could also have a drift mode for the stability control which lets you slide the car around with smoke pouring off the tyres.
When will the new Volkswagen T-Roc R be revealed?
We reckon the new Volkswagen T-Roc R will be revealed in a few months’ time, possibly towards the second half of 2026. That’s when you’ll find out for sure what it looks like and what features it’ll come with.
It’s a bit early to put a price on this car right now. Given a top-spec R-Line version of the standard T-Roc costs around £40,000, you can expect that the R version will push north of £45,000.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
Click here to follow us on Reddit, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos. You can also subscribe to our WhatsApp channel to get the latest news sent straight to your phone.