The Volkswagen Tiguan will gain an R-badged hot model, which has been spotted testing at the Nürburgring with a five-cylinder engine.

Although VW remains tight-lipped on the details, VW boss Herbert Diess previously revealed to Autocar that there is room in the R brand for expansion, with the first model most likely to be an SUV. Diess said that the Tiguan and other SUVs would not get GTI-badged cars, as the GTI brand will only be expanded as far as the new Up GTI.

The GTE brand is also has room for growth, said Diess, so a Tiguan GTE, as well as a T-Roc GTE are on the horizon.

The Tiguan R will sit above the current range-topper, a 240bhp 2.0-litre BiTDi capable of 0-62mph in 6.5sec. It’s likely that the Tiguan R will reach 62mph closer to 5.0sec.

Outwardly, the Tiguan R looks very similar to the range-topping R-Line trim of the cooking Tiguan, although the R’s price could edge closer to £46,000, matching the price difference between the highest-spec Golf diesel and Golf R range-topper.

Unlike the Golf R’s quad-tailpipe set-up, the Tiguan R development car bore two large rear exhausts, although this could change for production to match its hot hatchback sibling. The car has previously sported intersecting quad exhausts, akin to those on the 996 Porsche 911 Turbo.

Unlike the Audi RS3 and TT RS in which the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder unit is already used, the Tiguan R’s engine will not have 395bhp. Output is likely to be in excess of the Seat Ateca Cupra’s 300bhp to be similar to the Golf R’s 306bhp. The registration plates from both Volkswagen's native Wolfsburg and Audi's Ingolstadt hometown further suggests collaboration between the two on development of the car.

A debut at the Geneva motor show is most likely, given the T-Roc’s first public outing will be at the Frankfurt motor show in a few weeks' time.

Read more:

Seat Ateca Cupra – 300bhp SUV caught testing at the Nurburgring

Volkswagen to limit GTI models to Golf, Polo and Up

Audi RS3 Sportback UK 2017 review