2018 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line unveiled

Volkswagen's sensible SUV gets some interesting visual updates in the R-Line spec. 

In a bid to make the Tiguan a bit sporty, Volkswagen has decided to give the SUV some R-Line treatment. Now before your imagination runs wild here in India, you need to know that this version is limited to the American market and has just been unveiled at the 2017 LA Motor Show.

While the Tiguan R-Line might not be coming to India, we think it looks somewhat interesting. Highlights of the R-Line include the addition of some, erm, sporty bits on the inside and out. This means it gets a new set of 19-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels, new front and rear bumpers with new air-intakes along with a new diffuser – all finished in glossy black, of course. In addition to this, it also gets wheel arch extensions and side skirts.

Inside, there’s new R-Line logo on the infotainment screen, R-Line steering badge, black headliners, stainless-steel sport pedals, and stainless steel door sills. The rest of the design and equipment is mostly unchanged from the regular model.

Mechanically, there’s no change. This means this car – in the US-spec – comes powered by a 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine that develops 184bhp of power and 300Nm of peak torque. Power goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line will go on sale early next year in the US. Will it be coming to India? Although it just gets a body-kit and other cosmetic updates, Volkswagen India won’t be too keen to bring it to our market, given the low volumes of the vehicle.