T-Roc R and Tiguan R Grid up

VOLKSWAGEN will return the Grid Edition badge to its showrooms from December when the T-Roc R Grid Edition and Tiguan R Grid Edition land Down Under.

Offering what VW calls “reduced luxury and an enhanced performance focus”, the Grid Edition duo are priced at $5000 less than their derivative variants, available from $54,300 and $63,990 plus on-road costs respectively.

The T-Roc R Grid Edition retains the 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive system found in the T-Roc R, and like that variant can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Similarly, the Tiguan R Grid Edition offers the same 235kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring found in the Tiguan R, along with a 0-100km/h of just 5.1 seconds.

Both Grid Edition variants are distinguished by black styling elements including graphite 19-inch Pretoria alloy wheels and black roof rails on the T-Roc R, and black door mirrors, roof rails, grille and body trim on the Tiguan R.

Grid Editions utilise Performance LED headlights with Light Assist, replacing IQ.Light Matrix LED headlights with Dynamic Light Assist. Premium LED tail-lights with Dynamic Indicators, Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert and a Proactive Passenger Protection System are reserved for T-Roc R and Tiguan R.

Inside, both Grid Editions swap out Nappa leather upholstery with heated front seats plus an electrically adjustable driver’s seat (and passenger seat for Tiguan R), replaced with form hugging R Sport seats with sport cloth and Microfleece upholstery.

A head-up display is now reserved for Tiguan R.

Both SUVs will wear the same Grid Edition badge as found on the performance-focused limited-edition series Mk7.5 Golf R.

A panoramic sunroof is the single option for T-Roc R Grid Edition and Tiguan R Grid Edition at $2000 and $2100 respectively.

“The return of the Grid Edition in two forms will help us increase supply from November and assist in fulfilling extremely strong T-Roc R and Tiguan R orders,” said Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles brand director Michal Szaniecki.

“We thank customers of these high-performance SUVs for their patience and – as we did with securing 1000 extra Touaregs for this year – we are working tirelessly to improve our supply situation across several model lines.”

Volkswagen’s T-Roc currently ranks twelfth in the SUV Small under $40k sales segment with year-to-date sales of 1220 units.

The burgeoning segment is led by the MG ZS (11,609 unit sales) ahead of the Mazda CX-30 (9520), Hyundai Kona (7572), Mitsubishi ASX (6697), Kia Seltos (5398), Toyota C-HR (5022), Subaru XV (4728), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (4005), GWM Haval Jolion (3769), Honda HR-V (3011) and Suzuki Vitara (1323).

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Tiguan currently ranks twelfth in the SUV Medium under $60k sales category with year-to-date sales of 1703 units.

The segment is topped by the Toyota RAV4 (22,704 unit sales) ahead of the Mazda CX-5 (16,360), Kia Sportage (10,608), Mitsubishi Outlander (10,553), Hyundai Tucson (9541), MG HS (6436), Subaru Forester (6280), Nissan X-Trail (5224), Honda CR-V (4576) and GMW Haval H6 (3176).

2022 Volkswagen T-Roc pricing*:

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.