Volkswagen lobs new Tiguan 132TSI R-Line Edition

VOLKSWAGEN Australia has bolstered its Tiguan mid-size SUV line-up with a new limited-run 132TSI R-Line Edition variant, which costs $46,990 before on-road costs and brings the five-seat crossover range to four.

Based on the entry-level 132TSI Comfortline that retails for $43,150, the R-Line Edition is powered by the same 132kW/320NM 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that sends drive to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission, but it is restricted to just 1000 units.

Aside from exclusivity, buyers are also treated to an R-Line package bodykit, a two-tone interior, 19-inch Sebring wheels, tinted windows and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, on top of standard equipment that includes dynamic LED headlights, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, three-zone climate control and an electric tailgate.

Safety-wise, the R-Line Edition nets autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic headlights and wipers, as well as Volkswagen’s usually optional Driver Assistance Package, which bundles adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic jam assist.

In fact, so well-appointed is the R-Line Edition that the only options available to buyers are an electric sunroof and metallic/pearl paint, costing $2000 and $700 respectively.

Volkswagen’s Tiguan can also be had with a more-powerful 162kW/350Nm engine in Highline and Wolfsburg Edition forms, priced at $50,150 and $55,490 respectively.

The base 110TSI engine, which was taken off sale last year due to Worldwide Harmonised Light Duty Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) complications, is also confirmed to return to market this year to bring the Tiguan line-up back to full strength.

However, Volkswagen director of customer experience and marketing Jason Bradshaw said the top-tier 162TSI versions have been the most popular, although customer feedback prompted the introduction of the R-Line Edition.

“The single best selling variant of the Tiguan, either in five- or seven-seat Allspace guise, remains the top-specification 162TSI,” he said.

“Some 80 per cent of 162TSI customers choose the optional R-Line package.

“Customers told us that they wanted this option for the 132TSI. We listened. Here it is.”

For the first quarter of the year, Volkswagen has sold 1943 units of its Tiguan mid-size SUV, a 22.5 per cent dip over the same period last year, likely due to the unavailability of the 110TSI engine.

While the Tiguan is well off the pace of the sub-$60,000 \ segment-leading Mazda CX-5 (7118), Mitsubishi Outlander (4905), soon-to-be-replaced Toyota RAV4 (4855) and Nissan X-Trail (4800), the German brand still leads the Ford Escape (1123) and Holden Equinox (1179).