2019 Volkswagen T-Roc R Photos, engines & full specs

While the horsepower race is usual in the sports car or supercar segment, it was unusual in the small-sized crossover area. And yet, Volkswagen threw the gauntlet at its competitors with a pumped-up version of the T-Roc.

When Volkswagen developed the MQB platform, it created it for many vehicles built under its umbrella, including hatchbacks, station wagons, SUVs, and crossovers. As a result, it made the T-Roc under its own badge, and then it just spiced it up with a drivetrain carried over from the famous Golf R. The result was named T-Roc R and was one of the fastest crossovers on the market in 2019.

While the regular T-Roc looked like a vehicle designed for school runs, its R sibling tried to be more than that and show it. As a result, the front bumper was deeper and sported big side scoops that cooled the radiators behind them. In addition, the automaker mounted vertical LED daytime running lights instead of the rectangular ones as featured on the T-Roc. Furthermore, the apron sported a broad grille that complemented the tiny cooling area from the upper one.

To further emphasize the crossover’s sporty character, Volkswagen added a chromed R badge on the grille. Customers could get the subcompact crossover with 19” light-alloy wheels wearing 235/40 tires. The silver caps on the door mirrors were standard, but the black roof was an option. Finally, at the back, Volkswagen installed four exhausts grouped by two on each side of the vehicle, under the bumper, flanking a piano-black diffuser.

The interior was upgraded compared to the regular T-Roc with the addition of high-bolstered bucket seats at the front that provided excellent side support during high-speed cornering. For the instrument cluster, Volkswagen opted for a configurable digital display that could show the map or the dials and other information coming from the car’s onboard computer. Atop the center stack, between the vertical vents, the T-Roc sported the touchscreen for the infotainment unit featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Drivers were spoiled with a flat-bottom steering wheel and aluminum pedals. In the back, the automaker installed a split-folding bench seat fit mostly for two adults due to the tall transmission tunnel and the center console. This could expand to provide additional room for the 392-liter (13.8 cu-ft) trunk.

But the real upgrade for the T-Roc was under its skin, where Volkswagen basically took the drivetrain from a Golf R and installed it. As a result, the R version of this subcompact crossover got a two-liter turbocharged inline-four powerplant paired with a seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) transmission with launch control.

Power went in all corners via a Haldex system, meaning that most of the time, the car was front-wheel-drive, and when needed, the electronic system that controlled the transmission could send up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels.