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12<br />
Thursday <strong>April</strong> <strong>20</strong> <strong>20</strong>23<br />
Tiguan R offers speed, poise and balance<br />
VOLKSWAGEN’S R series<br />
of performance models has<br />
received a significant boost with<br />
three new variants joining the<br />
line-up.<br />
I’ve recently evaluated T-Roc<br />
R and Golf R, they have been<br />
joined by Tiguan R – a mid-size<br />
sport utility vehicle.<br />
The Tiguan R is rated at<br />
235kW and 400Nm, it gets all<br />
the trick gear that makes the R<br />
(Race) series so desirable – fourwheel-drive,<br />
adaptive dampers<br />
and torque vectoring control.<br />
Race mode is activated by a<br />
steering wheel-mounted button;<br />
once pushed, the entire<br />
driveline goes into a manic state,<br />
it is excitable and eager to blast<br />
through any given highway. It<br />
also imparts angry sound, the<br />
engine and exhaust spit and bark<br />
in unison, it’s infectious and<br />
could be a trap because, like its<br />
stablemates, the R series is biased<br />
toward exhilaration on any given<br />
journey, a constant watch on the<br />
speedometer is recommended.<br />
In terms of power outputs,<br />
take note of where the specific<br />
points of delivery are – 5600 to<br />
6500rpm and <strong>20</strong>00 to 5600rpm<br />
for torque, that is a constant supply<br />
of energy which means you<br />
don’t have to hammer the engine<br />
hard to make it work freely, the<br />
flow of power is constant and<br />
forceful at any given point. Drive<br />
is through a direct shift gearbox.<br />
Effectively it is a manual, but<br />
there are only two pedals in the<br />
car – brake and accelerator. Gear<br />
changes are automated unless<br />
the driver takes control through<br />
a sequential shifting system from<br />
the main gearshift lever itself or<br />
through paddles.<br />
Incorporating<br />
best motorbuys<br />
www.drivesouth.co.nz<br />
Against the clock the Tiguan<br />
R will scorch to 100km/h in<br />
5.2sec and will make a highway<br />
overtake (80-1<strong>20</strong>km/h) in 4sec.<br />
These are fast times and ones<br />
that are very rewarding when<br />
circumstances allow.<br />
It’s on the open road that the<br />
Tiguan R really struts its stuff,<br />
powering out of a corner doesn’t<br />
force any wayward cornering<br />
motion, of course there are<br />
those electronic and mechanical<br />
systems working to correct any<br />
physical force off-line; however,<br />
the Tiguan R doesn’t rely on<br />
these devices as it has poise and<br />
grip provided by clever suspension<br />
elements and, of course, the<br />
transfer of power to each corner.<br />
The test car was riding on<br />
19in wheels fitted with Hankook<br />
low profile tyres which, along<br />
with the 4Motion driveline, vast<br />
amounts of grip can barely be<br />
tested. It must be said as well the<br />
Tiguan R doesn’t handle like a<br />
traditional SUV, it has poise and<br />
balance which is quite unusual<br />
for a vehicle well over 1.6m tall.<br />
The Tiguan R also satisfies as<br />
an all-round family wagon, it has<br />
speed which stuns the senses, but<br />
it also is a complete package in<br />
terms of practicality. Those on<br />
board are treated to a decent ride<br />
and plenty of space; that’s the<br />
ethos of SUVs and the Tiguan R<br />
is no exception.<br />
What the Tiguan R represents<br />
well is the word sport in sport<br />
utility vehicle, it’s a sensational<br />
package and one that gives you<br />
a relatively good bang for your<br />
buck. At $80,990 ($85,990 high<br />
grade) it’s not too wayward in<br />
terms of pricing. However, you<br />
can guarantee the Government<br />
will come knocking for a few<br />
extra dollars as part of its Clean<br />
Car Programme fee.<br />
• Price – Volkswagen<br />
Tiguan R, $80,990<br />
• Dimensions – Length,<br />
4514mm; width, 1859mm;<br />
height, 1668mm<br />
• Configuration – Fourcylinder,<br />
four-wheel-drive,<br />
1984cc, 235kW, 400Nm,<br />
seven-speed direct shift<br />
automatic<br />
• Performance –<br />
0-100km/h, 5.2sec<br />
• Fuel usage – 9.7l/100km<br />
VEHICLES UNDER<br />
$6990<br />
374 Moorhouse Avenue,<br />
Sydenham, Christchurch.<br />
Opposite Pak N Save<br />
Open Hours<br />
Mon - Fri 9am - 5:30pm, Sat 9am - 4pm<br />
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☎ 027 466 1661 ✉ hamish@vehiclesunder6990.co.nz www.vehiclesunder6990.co.nz