KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The German carmaker has rolled out an official press statement regarding the two mentioned cars.
- The Golf GTI and the Tiguan R Line are confirmed to be launched in Q2 2025.
- This will be the second GTI model to be offered in India.
- The Tiguan R Line will be the first R Line car to make it here.
Not too long ago, we were among the first to actually confirm Volkswagen's intentions of launching the Golf GTI and the Tiguan R Line. The German car maker has now made things official in a press statement, with a launch timeline slated in the April-July quarter.
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Volkswagen Golf GTI And Tiguan R Line India Launch: Details
The Golf GTI is going to be among the few hot hatchbacks entering India. Certain dealerships across the country had unofficially started accepting bookings, and we had even confirmed this by reaching out to a few dealers. According to reports, only 250 units have been allocated for Volkswagen to import in the first batch. In easier words, the Golf GTI will be imported as a CBU in batches.
Under the hood of the Golf GTI lies the 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol four-cylinder EA888 powertrain, producing 261bhp and 370Nm of torque, while paired to a 7-speed DSG transmission. VW claims that the Golf GTI can cover a 0-100kmph run in just 5.9 seconds, while maxing out at an electronically-restricted top speed of 250kmph.
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With the Golf GTI coming in as a CBU, we can expect it to carry a price tag between Rs 45 lakh to Rs 55 lakh, mainly rivalling the Mini Cooper S.
Meanwhile, the Tiguan R Line will be the first R Line car from Volkswagen to be launched in India. The Tiguan R Line is likely to carry over the same 2.0-litre turb-petrol engine from the regular Tiguan, producing 187bhp and 320Nm of torque, paired to a 7-speed DSG transmission and also equipped with 4MOTION all-wheel drive.
In terms of design, the Tiguan R Line will bring in the appearance of the new Tiguan unveiled globally, and while based on the same platform, it is only marginally taller and longer than the current-gen Tiguan on sale here.
Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Volkswagen India, said "Volkswagen brand has been known for the performance, driving dynamics, build quality and safety of its products, offering a wide product portfolio to millions of customers across the world. Our made-in-India, made-for-the world, Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus, have carried forward these global credentials in India as well. Taking our performance legacy forward, we are elated to bring our global icons to customers in India the all-new Volkswagen Tiguan R-line and the legendary Golf GTI."
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He further added "We strongly believe these icons are truly aspirational and will permeate excitement among customers and fans of the brand. The two new carlines will be introduced in early Q22025 and will progressively strengthen the brands presence in India. Volkswagen India has had a fast start to 2025 with 3% growth in sales volumes YTD Feb25 (vs. last year). We stay true to our commitment of delivering German - engineered, safe and fun-to-drive cars to the Indian market."
We can expect teasers and prices to roll out very soon, and we cannot wait to get our hands on these cars!
Verdict
The fact that Volkswagen is bringing in the Golf GTI and the Tiguan R Line shows that the car maker is looking to build brand image more than focusing on volumes. This could likely be a move before introducing a surprise new entrant focused on the mass-market segment; perhaps its own version of the Kylaq.
