2023 Volkswagen T-Roc and Tiguan R Grid editions land in Australia

UPDATE: 300 examples of both the Volkswagen T-Roc and Tiguan R Grid editions have landed in Australia, with the possibility of more to come.

Volkswagen Australia says roughly half the Grid editions of T-Roc and Tiguan R are already spoken for, but if demand remains strong it hasn't ruled out bringing more to Oz.

The Grid editions of T-Roc and Tiguan R revive a badge first seen on the Mk 7.5 Golf R, and represent all the performance, with less luxury. It was a way to offer a cheaper golf R, but now the Grid editions free up supply with fewer semiconductors.

The T-Roc R Grid costs $53,400 before on-road costs, and the Tiguan R Grid $63,900. Those are $6000 and $6500 savings respectively compared to the full-fat models.

“Australia is now the number one market around the world for T-Roc R ordering. That's the level of demand we've seen for what is a compact SUV, multiplied by performance SUV”, said Volkswagen's product and PR manager, Dan DeGasperi.

Our original story, below, has been updated to reflect the changes above.

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The story to here

August 31, 2022: Australia has revived its Grid badge for new, lower-priced versions of the 2023 VW T-Roc R and VW Tiguan R performance SUVs.

The $54,300 T-Roc R Grid and $63,990 Tiguan R Grid Editions cost $6000 and $6500 less respectively by deleting some key features to help overcome supply issues caused by the global semiconductor shortage.

VW’s R Grid models follow the concept of the 2017/2018 Golf R Grid, which was positioned just below $50,000 via a reduced equipment list compared with the standard model. That Grid model was also partly inspired by component shortages, in this case electric seats.

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Grid Editions, which are due in December, drop premium LED tail-lights with dynamic indicators, side assist with rear traffic alert, and the proactive passenger protection system from the regular T-Roc R and Tiguan R. The Tiguan R Grid misses out on a head-up display standard in the regular Tiguan R too.

They also replace matrix LED headlights with performance LED headlights and ditch Nappa-leather seats for sports pews in cloth/microfleece. And electric seat adjustment makes way for manual adjustment – including front passenger seat in the Tiguan R Grid.

Grid Editions gain some visual distinction with ‘Pretoria’ 19-inch graphite alloy wheels and black roof rails fitted to the T-Roc R Grid, while the Tiguan R Grid's door mirrors, roof rails, grille, and body elements are all swathed in black.

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The sole option for both SUVs is a panoramic sunroof, which costs $2000 for the T-Roc R Grid and $2100 for the Tiguan R Grid.

VW Australia’s product manager for passenger vehicles Todd Ford described the Grid models as a “pre-emptive measure to counter supply issues and give people a choice”.

The standard VW T-Roc R has just been released in Australia, sitting atop an updated small SUV range with a $59,300 price tag. The regular and Grid versions are powered by a 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo and share all-wheel drive and a 0-100km/h claim of 4.9 seconds.

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The standard VW Tiguan R was introduced earlier in 2022, priced from $63,990. Both the R and R Grid feature a 235kW/400Nm turbo engine, all-wheel drive and a common benchmark acceleration claim of 5.1 seconds.

“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 VW Australia’s brand director of passenger vehicles, 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.”

The Grid Editions are the most affordable R models offered. The Golf R hatch starts from $65,990.