Volkswagen T-roc R

It’s the performance crossover you possibly didn’t know existed, but could it be worth getting to know?

INSTINCTIVELY MY EYE WAS DRAWN TO the other car wearing the distinctive blue paint. And, as I parked up in another row, I realised that the driver of the Mk7.5 Golf R had been similarly eagle-eyed when the Lapiz Blue T-roc R had driven into the car park.

‘What’s this?’ came the socially distanced enquiry as I got out. Always happy to have a chat, I explained that it was essentially exactly the same powertrain as his car, but in a small SUV body that is 21mm shorter, 20mm wider and 121mm taller, with a 47mm shorter wheelbase. Under the bonnet is the same EA888, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, putting out the same 296bhp and 295lb ft of torque. It has the larger brakes from the Golf R Performance Pack but there is no three-pedal option, so the engine and Haldex 4Motion all-wheel-drive system are mated to a seven-speed DSG ’box. Weighing in at 1581kg it is 76kg heavier than a five-door Dsg-equipped Mk7.5 Golf R, but it’s still good for 0-62mph in an impressive 4.9sec, which is as quick as a Porsche Macan GTS.

‘Well, I had no idea that this existed. It looks rather good,’ replied Mr Golf R.

And that seems to have been the reaction of quite a large proportion of people. Like the hot crossover equivalent of a Trident submarine, the T-roc R has slipped under the radar of most car enthusiasts. I’m almost certain that if this particular one had been specced in white, grey or black it would have gone totally unnoticed in the car park. Lapiz Blue is a £755 option, but if you pair it with a black roof like this car (which was previously on the regular VW press fleet) it’s £1185. Given the choice, I’d stick to a matching blue roof as I think it sits slightly better with the chrome strip that arcs from the base of the A-pillar to the base of the C-pillar. Incidentally, if blending-in is something that worries you, then might I suggest the Turmeric Yellow Metallic paint option?

The wheels are standard 19-inch Pretoria rims wrapped in Hankook S1 Evo 2 rubber. From a chassis perspective the big addition to this car is the £695 Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), which brings adaptive dampers to the party. Inside, the standard black and grey ‘Carbon Flag’ cloth interior is jazzed up a little by some Lapiz Blue inserts in the dash (£115), while selecting reverse will reveal that there is a £190 reversing camera.

By far the most extravagant option on this car, however, is the sports exhaust. It is titanium, saves 7kg over that standard system and is made by Akrapovič. If you’re not familiar with the Slovenian manufacturer, Igor Akrapovič founded the company 30 years ago and initially it focused solely on motorbikes, but subsequently its pipes have found their way into almost all forms of motorsport, including F1. But I’m prevaricating. The price. It costs… £3050. Which is a lot.

All of which brings the grand OTR recommended retail total up from a starting point of £40,735 to £45,970. That equates to about £4000 more than an equivalent Mk7.5 Golf R with Performance Pack, and the question that will be teetering on the edge of many of your lips is ‘Why not just buy a Golf R?

Or a Golf R Estate if you want more room?’ Well, certain aspects of a higher car are undoubtedly advantageous – the ease of access being a big factor for those with hips, knees and core muscles that might not be all they once were. Hoisting children in and out of car seats is also slightly easier. What’s more, when it flooded near me recently I managed to make it through the raging torrents in the T-roc – something that I’m not sure a Golf would have managed.

So, sometimes a crossover might be the right option. In which case, the real question is ‘How close can the T-roc R get to the Golf R?’ And that’s something I intend to find out over the next few months.

Date acquired December 2020 Total mileage 4515 Mileage since arrival 2803 Costs this month £0 mpg this month 30.7