- The upcoming VW T-Roc R has been spotted with the bare-minimum camouflage.
- The 2.0-liter TSI engine could be paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system and AWD.
- The hot SUV is expected to debut later this year, but remains off the table for the US.
The VW T-Roc was Europe’s best selling SUV for 2025, and the new generation introduced last September is expected to continue selling like hotcakes as a Golf on stilts. While the standard model is already available in a sporty R-Line trim, enthusiasts are patiently waiting for the full-blown T-Roc R, expected to arrive later this year.
The high performance variant of the SUV was recently spotted by our spy photographers during the last stages of development. Unlike the official preview where it was wrapped in camouflage, this prototype is largely uncovered, revealing more of its exterior design.
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The subcompact SUV is painted in the Lapiz Blue shade, a signature color for R-branded models. It rides on multi-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels finishes in black, combined with blue brake calipers. Still, it has solid discs instead of the drilled brakes of the original prototype, that could be part of an optional package.
VW engineers used body-colored vinyl to cover parts of the R-specific front bumper. Still, we can see the slightly larger cooling intakes and the redesigned trim around them, giving the T-Roc R a sporty edge compared to the rest of the lineup.
SH Proshots
The R emblems on the nose and the front doors are also hidden under body-colored patches of tape. The profile doesn’t get any special treatment other than the wheels, but the rear is where things get interesting.
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The diffuser houses quad tailpipes from Akrapovic, which are the easiest way to distinguish the real R visually and acoustically. Note that the R-Line has a single exhaust pipe which is tucked underneath the rear bumper.
A Golf R With Extra Treats
The T-Roc shares the latest version of the MQB Evo architecture with the Golf MK8.5, so it is natural that the R version is also closely related to the hot hatchback. However, buyers of the SUV might get some extra features.
SH Proshots
Under the hood we expect to find the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that powers numerous VW Group offerings. Still, there have been rumors about the addition of a 48 Volt mild-hybrid system. It is not clear whether electrification will increase the output over the 333 hp (245 kW / 338 PS) of the Golf R, but it will certainly make it easier for the SUV to comply with emission regulations for years to come.
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Power will most likely be transmitted to all four wheels via a seven-speed DSG and the 4Motion AWD system. The latter has torque vectoring abilities and a drift mode which is reserved for the track. As for the suspension setup, the T-Roc R will likely come standard with the DCC (Adaptive Chassis Control), although the settings could be different from the mechanically-related hatchback.
Coming Soon (But Not to America)
As much as we would like to see another hot SUV in the US market, the T-Roc R will remain a forbidden fruit for North America. The Euro-focused offering is expected to debut later this year, possibly in spring.
