Nor'West News: April 20, 2023

16
Thursday April 20 2023
Tiguan R offers speed, poise and balance
VOLKSWAGEN’S R series
of performance models has
received a significant boost with
three new variants joining the
line-up.
I’ve recently evaluated T-Roc
R and Golf R, they have been
joined by Tiguan R – a mid-size
sport utility vehicle.
The Tiguan R is rated at
235kW and 400Nm, it gets all
the trick gear that makes the R
(Race) series so desirable – fourwheel-drive,
adaptive dampers
and torque vectoring control.
Race mode is activated by a
steering wheel-mounted button;
once pushed, the entire
driveline goes into a manic state,
it is excitable and eager to blast
through any given highway. It
also imparts angry sound, the
engine and exhaust spit and bark
in unison, it’s infectious and
could be a trap because, like its
stablemates, the R series is biased
toward exhilaration on any given
journey, a constant watch on the
speedometer is recommended.
In terms of power outputs,
take note of where the specific
points of delivery are – 5600 to
6500rpm and 2000 to 5600rpm
for torque, that is a constant supply
of energy which means you
don’t have to hammer the engine
hard to make it work freely, the
flow of power is constant and
forceful at any given point. Drive
is through a direct shift gearbox.
Effectively it is a manual, but
there are only two pedals in the
car – brake and accelerator. Gear
changes are automated unless
the driver takes control through
a sequential shifting system from
the main gearshift lever itself or
through paddles.
Incorporating
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
Against the clock the Tiguan
R will scorch to 100km/h in
5.2sec and will make a highway
overtake (80-120km/h) in 4sec.
These are fast times and ones
that are very rewarding when
circumstances allow.
It’s on the open road that the
Tiguan R really struts its stuff,
powering out of a corner doesn’t
force any wayward cornering
motion, of course there are
those electronic and mechanical
systems working to correct any
physical force off-line; however,
the Tiguan R doesn’t rely on
these devices as it has poise and
grip provided by clever suspension
elements and, of course, the
transfer of power to each corner.
The test car was riding on
19in wheels fitted with Hankook
low profile tyres which, along
with the 4Motion driveline, vast
amounts of grip can barely be
tested. It must be said as well the
Tiguan R doesn’t handle like a
traditional SUV, it has poise and
balance which is quite unusual
for a vehicle well over 1.6m tall.
The Tiguan R also satisfies as
an all-round family wagon, it has
speed which stuns the senses, but
it also is a complete package in
terms of practicality. Those on
board are treated to a decent ride
and plenty of space; that’s the
ethos of SUVs and the Tiguan R
is no exception.
What the Tiguan R represents
well is the word sport in sport
utility vehicle, it’s a sensational
package and one that gives you
a relatively good bang for your
buck. At $80,990 ($85,990 high
grade) it’s not too wayward in
terms of pricing. However, you
can guarantee the Government
will come knocking for a few
extra dollars as part of its Clean
Car Programme fee.
• Price – Volkswagen
Tiguan R, $80,990
• Dimensions – Length,
4514mm; width, 1859mm;
height, 1668mm
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,
four-wheel-drive,
1984cc, 235kW, 400Nm,
seven-speed direct shift
automatic
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 5.2sec
• Fuel usage – 9.7l/100km
Finance
available
(conditions apply)
CARS WANTED
– CASH PAID
We buy small
Japanese vehicles
- Must be tidy
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- 281 Ferry Road - 03 389 1121 - dougdrake@xtra.co.nz www.dougdrake.co.nz