Volkswagen T-Roc R arrives ahead of Geneva debut

The Volkswagen T-Roc R is revealed in ‘near production’ guise ahead of a debut at the Geneva Motor Show, complete with 296bhp from the Golf R.

We’ve had a tease video featuring a camouflaged VW T-Roc R, and we’ve had a design sketch of the T-Roc R as VW has been busy building interest for its T-Roc SUV with the heart of a Golf R.

Now, rather than an actual reveal, we get the T-Roc R revealed as a ‘Near Production’ model ahead of a debut at the Geneva Motor Show. But don’t expect much to change before it goes on sale.

As expected, the T-Roc R uses the 2.0 litre turbo engine from the Golf R, delivering 296bhp through a seven-speed DSG gearbox to all four wheels with VW’s 4MOTION. 

All that’s enough, say VW, to scoot the T-Roc R to 62mph in 4.9 seconds, slower than the Golf R but quicker than the Cupra Ateca, These things matter.

Changes from more prosaic T-Roc models include flared wheelarches, 18″ alloys, a 20mm lower ride height, twin exhausts and butch bumpers front and back, as well as plenty of ‘R’ options like an Akrapovic exhaust and 19″ alloys. 

Other tweaks include stiffer suspension and brakes and steering borrowed from the Golf R, and there’s a new ‘Race’ mode if you want to set everything up to the hooligan max.

Despite its ‘Near Production’ tag, expect the VW T-Roc R to arrive on sale this year.