Hotter Volkswagen T-Roc R spied, Australian release imminent

The Volkswagen T-Roc R has been spotted testing ahead of its official unveiling later this year – and possible arrival in Australian showrooms in 2028 – as the new second-generation performance hero of the T-Roc small SUV range.

Regular versions of the new T-Roc were unveiled in August 2025, which will continue to compete with the Nissan Qashqai, Toyota Corolla Cross and C-HR, and Hyundai Kona. They feature mild hybrid and hybrid powertrains and the same MQB Evo platform that underlies the current Volkswagen Golf.

While the global reveal included a warmer, sportier R-Line variant, the full-fledged performance flagship T-Roc R was not shown publicly, apart from a camouflaged prototype that Volkswagen teased late last year ahead of planned production from October 2027.

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The test vehicle seen in these images provides further insight into the T-Roc R’s design ahead of its expected launch, which has not yet been officially confirmed for Australia.

The outgoing T-Roc was the German brand’s best-selling SUV in Australia last year, ranking second behind the Amarok ute among all Volkswagen models sold locally. He had a top-of-the-line R model.

While it lacks the heavy camouflage – and panoramic glass roof – seen on the second-generation T-Roc R introduced in 2025, the development mule in these spy images features the same unique front and rear bumpers and four exhaust outlets in place of the R-Line’s hidden outlets.

It’s not as aggressive as the renderings Volkswagen released in November 2025, with the production R car looking bulkier, but aside from the smaller-looking wheels, it’s certainly consistent with the blue-painted car in the teaser.