Performance Uplift to 328bhp
So, straight to the big news: the updated T-Roc R now puts out 328bhp. That’s a bump up from the previous version’s 300PS (or about 296bhp)—a solid step up. The power goes through a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox and VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive, nicked straight from the Golf R. It also gets adaptive suspension and torque vectoring, both managed electronically to keep everything feeling tight on the road.
But yeah, drift mode. That’s the party trick here. First seen on the Golf R Mk8, it lets the car shift torque to the back wheels so you can slide the thing around (in safe settings, obviously). It’s another sign that VW is getting more serious about giving its ‘R’ models an actual performance edge.
One of VW’s board members put it like this at the launch:
“The new T-Roc R pushes the limits for compact performance SUVs, offering drivers the thrill of 328bhp and a suite of intelligent driving modes, including drift mode—for an uncompromised, dynamic experience.”
More Technology, Sharper Design
It’s not just about power, either. The 2025 T-Roc R gets a big tech update. It’s built on the same platform as the Golf Mk8.5 and new Tiguan—called MQB Evo if you’re into that sort of thing—and it’s meant to be sharper and better to drive. All the systems working in the background help keep it usable day-to-day, even with all that extra oomph.
Inside, VW’s gone in with a fresh 15-inch centre screen and a digital dash. There’s a new voice assistant, IDA, that now works with ChatGPT if you fancy chatting to your car. You also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Some stuff like navigation and cloud features will be on subscription.
As for extra kit, you’ve got things like Travel Assist (a semi-autonomous driving setup), adaptive lane-keeping, and Park Assist Pro, which lets you park the car from your phone. Handy for tight spots.
Launch Dates and Pricing Expectations
The new Volkswagen T-Roc R officially launches in the UK this November, at the same time as it rolls out across Europe. Pricing hasn’t been set yet, but considering the last model cost between £45,465 and £46,715, we’re expecting this one to start somewhere around £46,000 and up. Proper figures for the UK should land in autumn.
Over in Germany, pre-sales kick off on 28 August 2025, and the base 1.5 eTSI T-Roc starts at €30,845.
Since this is still a petrol performance SUV, don’t expect it to qualify for any government incentives.
Even though VW’s turned up the power and handling, they haven’t forgotten about everyday use. The 2025 T-Roc R is slightly bigger now and gives you 465 litres of boot space—so still decent if you’re hauling stuff or doing family duties.
Comfort bits haven’t been ignored either. You get redesigned sport seats with 14-way adjustment and built-in massage, a proper sound system, and a bit more room in the back.
We’ll get more details in the coming months on pricing, trims, options, and test drives as VW gears up for its autumn launch push. As it stands, the new Volkswagen T-Roc R looks set to be one of the big petrol-powered SUV arrivals of 2025.
