Volkswagen India has officially unveiled its new flagship offering for the Indian passenger vehicle market: the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line SUV. Positioned at the pinnacle of Volkswagen's SUV portfolio in India, this performance-oriented seven-seater model marks a significant step in the German automobile giant's revised strategy, which now places a stronger emphasis on performance-focused cars for the Indian market.
Volkswagen's Performance Push in India
Interestingly, the Tayron R-Line is part of Volkswagen's broader initiative to introduce more performance-oriented vehicles in India. While Volkswagen has already brought models like the Tiguan R-Line and Golf GTI to the market, and Skoda is preparing to launch the Octavia RS, the Tayron R-Line stands out as the first of five cars slated for launch in India this year under Volkswagen's 2026 product strategy. Expect its official launch to happen soon, positioning it against key rivals such as the Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster, and Jeep Meridian.
Exterior Design: Classy and Family-Oriented
In typical Volkswagen fashion, the Tayron R-Line features a sharp yet understated design philosophy. The SUV exudes a premium appeal without being overly aggressive, making it family-oriented at its core. Key exterior highlights include twin-pod LED projector headlamps with a connected light bar and an illuminated brand logo. The bumpers sport a bold look with a massive air dam, enhanced by the R-Line kit.
Moving to the side profile, the Tayron R-Line showcases soft creases and a sharp beltline that runs over the rear fender. It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and features gloss black cladding, along with a silver trim that extends from the C-pillar to the window line, adding a premium touch. At the rear, the design resembles the smaller Tiguan, with a connected taillamp cluster for a sleek and classy appearance, complemented by an aggressive rear bumper and an illuminated logo.
Dimensions: Larger Than the Tiguan R-Line
The Volkswagen Tayron R-Line is dimensionally larger than its sportier sibling, the Tiguan R-Line. It measures 4,792 mm in length, 1,866 mm in width, and 1,665 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,789 mm. This makes it 253 mm longer, 7 mm wider, 9 mm taller, and gives it a 109 mm longer wheelbase compared to the Tiguan R-Line. In terms of practicality, the Tayron R-Line offers 345 litres of boot space with all seats up, which can be expanded to 850 litres when the third row is folded.
Interior: Feature-Packed and Premium
Inside the cabin, the Tayron R-Line continues its classy and minimal theme. A massive 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes centre stage, accompanied by a backlit dashboard trim on the passenger side. The clean centre console includes a rotary dial for gear shifting, while an all-black theme delivers a sporty feel. Additional features include:
- A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- An 11-speaker 700W Harman Kardon audio system
- 30-colour ambient lighting
- A panoramic sunroof
- Three-zone climate control
- AR-based head-up display (HUD)
- Wireless charger
- 10-way powered, ventilated, heated, and massaging front seats
Safety Features: Comprehensive Protection
The Volkswagen Tayron R-Line is equipped with a plethora of safety features to ensure peace of mind. These include:
- A Level 2 ADAS suite
- Multiple airbags
- Electronic stability control
- Hill hold assist
- Electronic parking brake with auto-hold
- 360-degree surround view camera
- All-wheel disc brakes
- Front and rear parking sensors
Powertrain: Performance at Its Core
At the heart of the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line is a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine that generates 201 bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of maximum torque. This engine is paired with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox and comes standard with Volkswagen's all-wheel-drive system, ensuring robust performance and handling.
Overall, the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line SUV represents a bold move by Volkswagen India, blending premium design, advanced technology, and powerful performance to cater to the evolving demands of Indian consumers.
