What's all this about?

We've got R-Line versions of two of Volkswagen's latest SUV-crossovers, the T-Roc and the Tiguan Allspace.

OK, what's the damage?

If, by that, you mean 'how much to they cost?', then the T-Roc R-Line kicks off at £26,450, while the Tiguan Allspace R-Line is a rather more robust £35,755. The first R-Line examples of the Tiguan will be delivered in May, with the T-Rocs following in June.

What do I get for my money?

Available on a variety of engine and gearbox combinations in both model ranges, you get sportier styling inside and out, plus equipment upgrades that befit the new halo specification for both line-ups. For the T-Roc, more specifically that means on the outside there are 19-inch Suzuka alloys with low rolling-resistance tyres, sports suspension, a body-coloured roof spoiler, R-Line design front and rear bumpers, black wheelarch extensions, body-coloured side skirts and R-Line badging Moving inside there's a black roof lining, dark grey inserts for the dash and door cards, front footwell illumination, front LED reading lights, Carbon Flag upholstery, chrome R-Line door sill inserts, aluminium pedals, R-Line carpet mats and a flat-bottomed, multifunction, leather R-Line steering wheel.

Crikey! And how about the Tiguan Allspace R-Line?

Pretty much the same stuff, except the Suzuka alloys are now 20-inch items and the sports suspension can be bolstered with (optional) Dynamic Chassis Control. The Tiguan Allspace R-Line also gains a Piano Black front air intake and rear diffuser, while inside there are aluminium-look decorative inserts, Race cloth upholstery with San Remo microfibre inserts, stainless steel pedals and the R-Line logo on the front seat backrests. Plus most of the stuff we mentioned on the T-Roc, of course.

You said a variety of engines and transmissions - can you be more specific?

OK. The T-Roc R-Line has four variants: there's a 1.5 TSI Evo petrol with 150hp and front-wheel drive, with either manual or seven-speed DSG gearboxes; a 190hp 2.0 TSI petrol with 4Motion all-wheel drive and the DSG only; or a 2.0 TDI diesel with 150hp, 4Motion and a six-speed manual. Top money is commanded by the 190hp petrol, which is £33,225. For the Tiguan Allspace, there are five R-Line variants: four made up of the 150hp 2.0 TDI, which comes with either six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG transmissions and the choice of either front-wheel drive or 4Motion with each; and then a 190hp 2.0 TDI, which is DSG and 4Motion only, and which is the most expensive model of the lot at slightly more than £40,000. That means it'll cost you £450 a year in road tax for the first five years, as opposed to the standard £140 a year.

Matt Robinson - 4 Apr 2018