The 'R' document

I first drove the Tiguan when it was launched last year in Jordan. It was a half-day affair, and though too short a drive to develop an informed opinion I quite liked it. Now that the Tiguan R Line has been launched, I got a chance to test it at a more leisurely pace. And I must admit my initial opinion has only been reinforced.

The compact SUV (or soft-roaders as they are euphemistically referred to) had tackled the deeply-rutted trail on the steep hills off Amman, Jordan, admirably. It had handled even better on the road. Impressive, considering that these cars were powered by a 200bhp, 2-litre four-cylinder engine and had no low-range transfer case.

So, what's so exciting about the R Line? It looks more dynamic, and its turbocharged engine does show some pizzazz when the charger kicks in. The shock absorbers are also tuned for a sportier drive.

The R Line package includes a range of body modifications such as redesigned colour-coded bumpers, a diffuser integrated into the rear bumper and a front radiator grille with double ribs finished in "matte chrome". It also sports 19in "Omanyt" wheels. The black wheel arch extensions and colour-coded sills give an interesting twist to its rather staid looks. It also has chrome inlays on the doors.

An optional ‘Plus' package includes front sport seats with R Line imprinted on the head restraints and upholstery in a "Monte Carlo" design. The brake and accelerator pedals also carry the special R Line design.

The R Line package is only available on the Sport and Style version of the Tiguan. It is the model that has the off-road package with a higher front bumper that offers a generous-by-class-standards approach angle, along with a kick plate to safeguard the sump, hill descent control and a compass, to boost its off-road prowess. In standard trim, the Tiguan sports a deep front bumper that provides a limited approach angle clearly biased towards city driving.

It remains a practical car with plenty of head and elbow room, so tall adults will be comfortable in the rear. Storage space isn't too bad either - 395 litres - and with the seats down a respectable 1,510 litres. There are also five load-lashing points and a 12V socket in there. The dashboard, clearly based on the Golf Plus, feels quite upmarket with a few touches of silver and soft-touch materials. What really impresses is the comprehensive sat nav incorporated in the multimedia system. It got me out of many a sticky situation - just type in your destination and let it guide you there unerringly.

The multimedia package includes an excellent audio system (RS510 DynaAudio), and a rear parking camera. Also included is the Rear Park Assist, which parallel-parks the vehicle for you if you're too lazy to do it. The driver then simply controls the speed, as the car takes over the steering, to produce a perfect parking manoeuvre.

This time around I finally put some niggling doubts about driving the R Line to rest. Braking had been slightly unsatisfactory during our first drive in Jordan. The car had drifted a little on braking hard on some spots while it behaved perfectly well on other stretches. This time the Tiguan proved that there's nothing wrong with its braking system. Apparently, it was the roads that were the culprit.

Just bear in mind that this is not a performance car. The literature says the direct injection turbocharged engine accelerates the Tiguan to 100kph in just 8.2 seconds. I timed it on my watch and made the mark in under 8 seconds, for whatever it is worth. Fuel consumption is certainly going to be much less too.

The R Line's biggest asset is its handling. In fact, where performance is concerned it's more or less a Golf in terms of overall competence. The electromechanical steering has a light but direct feel. Every pedal and lever behaves perfectly, and the steering and handling are precise. Appropriate damping results in a firm but comfortable ride over most terrain. It doesn't lose its composure on speeding either.

Traction is never a problem with its multi-plate clutch-based 4Motion four-wheel drive system distributing power to front and rear axles. According to Volkswagen, it nominally directs 90 per cent of the drive to the front wheels, with the remaining 10 per cent going to the rear. Depending on the road conditions, it can reverse this distribution or provide any manner of split in between.

The off-road package alters the calibration of the standard ABS and ESP systems at the press of a button to help it cope with rougher terrain. This includes a hill holder function as well as accelerator pedal adaptation for gentle throttle control at low speeds for maximum traction; electronic differential lock for better all-round traction; and downhill drive assist to help maintain safe speeds while descending.

It may not allow you to show off your off-roading skills, but it can hold its own against the rest of the mid-sized four-wheel drive competition.

My first drive on the Tiguan had me going through the initial phase of the Jordan Rally track beside the Dead Sea. I encountered some pretty rough and rocky, as well as steep and twisting terrain. The 2-litre engine had been more than sufficient to climb the steep slopes. The well-insulated and comfortable interior had not transferred any of the shock to me.

In fact, the Tiguan R Line can tackle a reasonable amount of off-roading provided you are cautious. Certainly more than an average owner would put it through.

According to Volkswagen, the more you accelerate, the 4WD system and associated traction control will divert power to the wheels with traction.

The electronic parking-brake system, found on most high-end saloon cars now, has another advantage. It clears up space where the hand brake should be for more storage space. The hill-hold feature automatically disengages when the clutch is pressed.

The Tiguan has a very clever feature to make up for the absence of low-range gearing: when the off-road button is activated, you can floor the accelerator but the computer limits engine speed to 3,500rpm. This allows you to concentrate on getting out of the spot. All Tiguans have six-speed transmissions as standard equipment.

Where creature comforts are concerned, the Tiguan R Line has them in plenty. Soft textured plastics and additional chrome highlights on the upper section give it an upmarket feel. The interior is very comfortable and spacious, with either sport or comfort seats, both with lumbar support mechanism.

An elevated seating position with adequate height adjustment provides good visibility for the driver. There's a huge glass roof panel with a sliding sunroof and powered interior shade.

So, is it worth it? The R Line handles and steers very tidily, it's refined, roomy inside, loaded and even capable of performing mild off-road duties. The price? Dh145,000.