Volkswagen T-roc R

Crossover or hot hatch? The T-roc R meets the new Mk8 Golf R

THE AFTERNOON IN THE ASTON Martin V12 Speedster hadn’t gone entirely to plan; no roof, rain and cameras is a recipe that’s about as unpalatable as a Letitia Cropley sandwich (good to get an obscure Vicar of Dibley reference in early, I’m sure you’ll agree). Sam Riley – videographer extraordinaire and previously of this parish – and I had required every last possible minute with the Aston to get what we needed. But now, back in the T-roc R, I was running late for an evening appointment to have my arm punctured by a lovely member of the NHS.

Carry speed, keep the steering inputs small, and the T-roc R feels good. Through sweeping bends it moves all-of-a-piece, nicely neutral through the apex. You just want to set it up a fraction early for corners to make sure the nose is turned in. Despite being a bit loftier than a hatchback, it keeps its roll in check and there is a surprisingly short-wheelbase feel to it. You also have that fractionally better view over the hedges and verdant verges. Unsurprisingly, it’s very like the old Golf R, with which it shares much of its componentry. It’s good. But it could be better. The new Golf R is better.

I compared the T-roc R to the new GTI Clubsport a couple of issues ago and much of what I said there obviously applies to the new Golf R as well. The older-style interior of the T-roc R is easier to use and I think there is a nicer weight to the steering. However, the T-roc could really use the Mk8 Golf’s new 4Motion with R-performance Torque Vectoring.

Driving the two Lapiz Blue machines back-toback, it was instantly obvious how much better the new Golf gets into a corner, but it was the ability to then get on the throttle early in the corner that really made the difference. The new, torque-vectoring rear differential can send up to 100 per cent of the available torque to the outside rear wheel in a corner and this allows you to start accelerating and opening the steering where you would be maintaining lock and hesitating on the throttle in the T-roc. It’s particularly appreciated in tighter corners, but whatever the radius, the Golf definitely feels more agile.

There’s nothing wrong with the way the T-roc punches out of corners, though. It’s a gruffer, slightly rougher sounding engine than in the Golf, but it still surprises me how hard its 296bhp shoves the little crossover up the road. Certainly plenty quick enough to get me to the vaccination centre on time.

Henry Catchpole (@Henrycatchpole)

Date acquired December 2020 Total mileage 6838 Mileage this month 92 (I’ve been on holiday) Costs this month £0 mpg this month 28.6