Southern View: April 13, 2023

14
Thursday April 13 2023
GET IN quick is my advice.
That is if you want a performance
car with a high output
internal combustion engine. The
automotive world is changing
quickly, hybrids, electric vehicles
and models with low emission
engines will soon dominate the
global new car market.
At least for the time being,
Volkswagen is catering for those
who want power and performance
and in a standout package.
Sure, there’s the quintessential
Golf GTi, but Volkswagen
is marketing heavily the R series
of performance models – Golf R,
Tiguan R and T-Roc R (R meaning
Race).
The T-Roc sits in the smaller
side of the sport utility vehicle
range, it’s sort of a crossover really,
but what it lacks in stature it
certainly makes up for in practicality
and honesty, it will easily
cater for the small family and has
already established itself as a success
in the global marketplace.
The T-Roc here is priced from
$43,490, there are four models
(including the R), the latter sits
at $71,990, which if you stack it
beside other performance hatchbacks
and sedans around the
same size it is competitive, but
bear in mind the Government
will also have its hand out for a
$1660 fee to subsidise low emission
vehicles.
True to its R stablemates, the
T-Roc gets a 2-litre turbocharged
engine. I mentioned the Golf
GTi, well, the R series engines
in all three variants get a similar
engine as the GTi but with even
greater power outputs. In R form
the four-cylinder unit has power
outputs of 221kW and 400Nm.
Incorporating
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
T-Roc R adds to VW’s performance line-up
The engine is an absolute belter
with a strong mid-range surge
and dynamics which encourage
vigorous throttle use. That’s
because this engine has sound,
I’m not saying it is noisy, it’s
not, but it does emit shrieks and
howls under urgency that is a joy
to listen to.
Drive is channeled to all four
corners using Volkswagen’s
4-Motion system, the transmission
is a seven-speed direct shift
system which you simply treat
like any automatic. As you would
expect, there are paddle shifters
on the T-Roc, and if you still like
to hang onto a gearshift, manual
changes can also be carried out
at the main shifter itself.
When I refer to the entire
Volkswagen R series models as
being race ready, well, effectively
they are. Sure, you can’t go to a
track and start racing, but you
can have a decent amount of fun
in a closed circuit situation.
Hot hatchback buyers are
spoilt for choice with a plethora
of lively yet functional performance
models scattered freely
across several brands in New
Zealand. Volkswagen has not
made a choice easy, choosing
between any of the three R
variants would simply come
down to the practical aspect of
what each delivers, the T-Roc
also has the benefit of a sizeable
load area.
However, it’s what’s at the
other end that makes the R
models so special, let’s hope that
Volkswagen (and other car makers)
can continue building their
performance engines for many
years to come. I know that’s a
difficult ask when the world is
demanding lower emissions to
combat climate change, but I’m
forever the optimist.
• Price – Volkswagen T-Roc
R, $71,990
• Dimensions – Length,
4236mm; width, 1819mm;
height, 1559mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
four-wheel-drive,
1984cc, 221kW, 400Nm,
seven-speed direct shift
automatic
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 4.9sec
• Fuel usage – 9.3l/100km
Finance
available
(conditions apply)
CARS WANTED
– CASH PAID
We buy small
Japanese vehicles
- Must be tidy
2wd
low kMs
low kMs
2013 toyota aqua hybrid
$13,995 1.5L auto, low 87,000kms, high grade leather,
alloys, body kit, reverse camera.
2008 daihatsu bego 5/suV 2wd
$7,995
1500cc, auto, 141,000kms.
2007 hyundai getz 5/hatch
$6,295
1.6L, auto, NZ new, 101,000kms, alloys.
2013 daihatsu sirion 5/hatch
$8,995
1.3 auto, Low Low 20,000kms, 1 owner.
2011 nissan lafesta 7 seat wagon
$7,995
2000cc, auto, 118,000kms, drives well.
2007 toyota Vitz rs 5/hatch
$7,995
1.5L, auto, 112,000kms, alloys, multi airbags.
2010 suzuki sX-4 4 door
$8,995
2.0L, auto, alloys, 125,000kms, nice unit.
2012 suzuki swift 5/hatch
$8,995
NZ new, 1340cc, auto, 1 owner, 154,000kms.
- 281 Ferry Road - 03 389 1121 - dougdrake@xtra.co.nz www.dougdrake.co.nz