The new Volkswagen T-Roc R is now available to order in the UK, with prices starting from £38,450.  Standard equipment includes white paint, 19in alloy wheels and Volkswagen’s latest virtual cockpit system. Other colours are available from £360-£1075, while a leather and carbonfibre interior package can be equipped for an additional £2155, and an Akrapavoic sports exhaust system for £3000.  First revealed at the Geneva motor show in March, the T-Roc R looks set to become one of the major players in the burgeoning performance crossover market. It is as closely related to the Golf R as lesser versions are to the regular Golf, sharing the same powertrain and base suspension components.  That means it has the VW Group’s EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine – now fitted with a particulate filter and in 296bhp tune – part-time Haldex-based all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.  Volkswagen claims a 4.9sec 0-62mph time – 0.3sec slower than the Golf R but 0.3sec quicker than the Cupra Ateca – and a governed 155mph top speed.  Despite a close hardware relationship with the Cupra – and the Audi SQ2 – settings are unique for each car. Although it sits higher than the Golf, the T-Roc R is 20mm closer to the ground than the standard T-Roc thanks to lower suspension and firmer settings. Passive dampers are standard but VW’s dynamic chassis control system can be specified for £695.  The T-Roc R gets 18in wheels as standard, with 19s as an upgrade option. All versions have the beefy 17in brakes from the Golf R Performance.  Other visual changes include chunkier bumpers, an anodised finish for the radiator grille, matt chrome mirror caps and R badges. The cabin gets some carbonfibre trim and a sportier steering wheel, plus the option of the Golf R’s sport seats.  QA with Jost Capito, R division boss What are the fundamentals of the R brand?  “It is all-wheel drive, it is sporty and – after discussions with customers in a lot of countries – we know they want to see cars around 300 horsepower. People say why not go higher, but we need to hit a certain price, a sweet spot: we sell more than 20,000 Golf Rs a year.”  How do you stop confusion with GTI models?  “Firstly, they have two-wheel drive, but also they are more extreme. The R models have to be less racy, but with the same capability or even more. They always have more horsepower but are more about everyday usage. A TCR or Clubsport is much more aggressive. The GTI is in Up, Polo and Golf – and we are saying that R is starting with Golf.”  So will there be several other R models?  “The task I’ve been given is to make R to Volkswagen what M is for BMW. That means different positioning from just having a Golf R. There will be a wider spread. For the future, the Golf and T-Roc will not be the only ones, that’s for
Origin: Volkswagen T-Roc R: hot compact SUV on sale from £38,450