Since it was added to the range, the Tiguan compact SUV has been a popular choice, with customers purchasing it in large numbers to make it the fourth best-selling Volkswagen after the Golf, Polo and Passat.  In the first generation, the R-Line was one of the most popular Tiguan models, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of the total sales.  Renewed for the latest model, the R-Line is now expected to be the choice of a quarter of Tiguan customers. 

The new Tiguan R-Line is based on the already generous SE trim level, and adds bi-xenon headlights, 18-inch ‘Mallory’ alloy wheels, painted in Sterling Silver with black wheelarch extensions, body-coloured unique front and rear ‘R’ design bumpers and rear spoiler, an
R-Line logo on the front grille and aluminium front door sills with R-Line logo.  Inside, the theme continues with front sport seats and two-tone upholstery, R-Line logo on the front head restraints, leather multifunction steering wheel with aluminium inlay and R-Line logo and stainless steel pedals.

As befits its sporty styling and position in the range, the R-Line is available with the Tiguan’s three most powerful engines.  These are the 2.0-litre TSI with 210 PS and 4MOTION four-wheel drive, plus Volkswagen’s popular 2.0-litre common rail TDI engine with either 140 or 170 PS and 4MOTION.  All R-Line models come with a standard six-speed manual gearbox.  Carbon dioxide emissions for all models are under 200 g/km: the petrol model emits 199 g/km, while the diesels are at 150 and 158 g/km for the 140 and 170 PS respectively.

On the road prices start at £28,020 for the R-Line 140 PS.  There is a £680 premium for the 170 PS diesel, with the petrol model costing £28,435.

The Tiguan R-Line is available to order now through Volkswagen Retailers, with the first cars arriving in January 2013.

Article source: www.volkswagen.co.uk