The Volkswagen T-Roc R has been spied testing ahead of its official unveiling later this 12 months – and its potential Australian showroom arrival in 2028 – as the brand new performance hero of the second-generation T-Roc small SUV lineup.
Regular versions of the brand new T-Roc – which is able to proceed to rival the Nissan Qashqai, Toyota Corolla Cross and C-HR, and Hyundai Kona – were shown in August 2025, employing mild-hybrid and hybrid powertrains, and the identical MQB Evo platform that underpinns the present Volkswagen Golf.
While the worldwide reveal included a hotter, sport-focused R-Line variant, the fully fledged T-Roc R performance flagship has not been shown publicly, aside from a camouflaged prototype teased by Volkswagen late last 12 months, ahead of production planned from October 2027.
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new automotive. Click here to get an important deal.
The test vehicle spied in these images provides further insight into the T-Roc R’s styling ahead of its expected launch, which is yet to be officially confirmed for Australia.
The outgoing T-Roc was the German brand’s best-selling SUV in Australia last 12 months, placing second only to the Amarok ute amongst all Volkswagen models sold locally, and included an R range-topper.
While it’s missing the heavy camouflage – and the glass panoramic roof – seen on the second-generation T-Roc R teased in 2025, the event mule in these spy shots has the identical unique front and rear bumpers and quad exhaust outlets instead of the R-Line’s hidden outlets.
It’s not as aggressive because the renderings Volkswagen released in November 2025, with the production R-car looking more bulked up, but aside from smaller-looking wheels, it does match the blue-wrapped automotive within the teaser.
Our spy photographers noted a “nice, throaty sound” from the test automotive, which is anticipated to be powered by the two.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine from the Golf R, during which it makes 245kW of power and 420Nm of power, potentially with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance.
Just like the Golf R and the previous T-Roc R, it’s expected to make use of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and have all-wheel drive as standard.
The previous T-Roc R sold in Australia produced 221kW/400Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo-four, claimed a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.9 seconds, and was priced at $64,990 before on-road costs.
The brand new generation has increased in every key dimension, with a 28mm longer wheelbase bringing more second-row passenger space and boot capability, growing from 392 to 475 litres.
The brand new T-Roc will once more sit between the Volkswagen T-Cross light SUV and the Tiguan mid-size SUV, a brand new generation of which was launched in Australia in 2025, when the Tiguan Allspace was replaced by the seven-seat Tayron SUV.
The Tayron is ready to grow to be the most important SUV in Volkswagen Australia showrooms in 2026, given the Touareg is not going to get replaced, with the swansong Touareg Final Edition being offered before order books close in March.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
