Volkswagen spills on 2022 launch calendar for Tiguan Allspace and R, Amarok send-offs, T-Roc updates, facelifted Polo, and returning Arteon

At the Australian launch of the facelifted Volkswagen Tiguan, the brand’s local representatives shared details on its action-packed launch calendar for next year.

The brand noted it may have some supply constraints due to the global microchip shortages that it said were only just starting to affect its supply.

For now though, it has launch windows for an expansive range of important products, aside from its key Golf 8 and GTI which hits dealers next month.

Tiguan

The updated Tiguan range will expand to include the Allspace seven-seater once again.

The updated Tiguan has now arrived, but its range is set to expand once again to include the stretched-wheelbase seven-seat Allspace. Set to arrive “in the first half of 2022” the Allspace looks set to follow the same formula as before, with a near-identical line-up of a base 110TSI and 132TSI, and higher-spec all-wheel-drive 2.0-litre petrol 162TSI and 147TDI variants. VW says to “expect no major changes” with the Allspace still set to be sourced from Mexico rather than Germany, and will therefore offer alternate colour choices. Before the pre-facelift model is set to leave our shores though, VW told us to expect a Wolfsburg edition send-off to be detailed imminently.

Read More About Volkswagen Amarok

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace detailed

VW is confident in the sales potential of its first Tiguan R.

In good news for enthusiasts looking for a bit of space, the first-ever go-fast Tiguan R is locked in for an Australian launch, with the brand saying it “looks set to arrive in Q1 of 2022”. Motivated by an angry 235kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo, VW’s local operation is betting it will be a huge hit with consumers, saying it could shake the balance of sales away from the current top-spec R-Line, which currently accounts for “around 50 per cent of sales”.

Read More About Volkswagen Amarok

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R detailed

T-Roc

The T-Roc R has been hotly anticipated since its international reveal.

Australia received the T-Roc years later than the rest of the world, which is why after only two years on sale it is set to receive a mid-life update. VW says that will occur around the middle of 2022, and the update will bring with it a wild T-Roc R variant, which will share its mechanicals with the Golf R. It will have its sights set on the upcoming Hyundai Kona N, and will be powered by a 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo with all-wheel drive.

As for the regular T-Roc range, VW says to expect a similar kind of treatment to the Tiguan, new nose and tail, altered bodywork and variant options, the brands signature new steering wheel, alongside a sharp increase in cabin tech. Stay tuned for more.

Read More About Volkswagen Amarok

Why the Hyundai Kona N and Volkswagen T-Roc R could change the hot hatch market forever

Polo

While the small car segment shrinks, the Polo will live on.

Unlike the incoming Golf 8, which is an entirely new generation, the incoming 2022 Polo will be a facelift, just like the T-Roc and Tiguan. Again, expect a similar treatment, with the already-revealed hatch getting refined looks front and rear to bring it in line with the new-generation cars. Volkswagen says to expect the Polo update to hit our shores in the second half of next year.

Expect a heavy digital overhaul, with the European model scoring LED headlights, a digital cockpit, and upgraded safety across the board. The Polo update will follow the same formula as the rest of the updated range, consisting of Life, Style, and R-Line variants. A GTI should also be ready for the Australian launch, but sorry enthusiasts, no manual again this time.

Interestingly, Volkswagen has said that despite other automakers pulling out of the light hatch category, it plans to continue ahead with the Polo, especially since it has seen a sharp uptick in sales now that dealers have run out of stock of the Golf 7.5.

Read More About Volkswagen Amarok

2022 Volkswagen Polo detailed

Arteon

The Arteon will triumphantly return to Australia in both liftback and wagon form.

That’s right, the niche Arteon will return to Australian shores, despite competing in an ever-shrinking large-size non-SUV segment, slotting into the brand’s busy line-up above the Passat. VW Australia communications boss Paul Pottinger confirmed “there is no logical reason for us to bring it in other than we can” and that, unbelievably, the brand will offer not only the liftback, but the attractive five-door ‘shooting brake’ wagon, too.

The new Arteon range is slated for a Q3 2021 launch, likely as a 2022 year model, and is available overseas currently as a diesel four-cylinder unlikely for our market, an equally-unlikely eHybrid 1.4-litre turbocharged plug-in, or the most-likely Arteon R, which is motivated by a 235kW/420Nm 2.0-litre petrol turbo. Stay tuned as we approach its Q3 launch window.

Read More About Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen Arteon R detailed

Amarok

The current-generation Amarok might be getting on, but its greatest versions may be yet to come.

While all eyes are on the new generation Amarok which will share its platform with the next Ford Ranger in 2023, VW says there is still more to come from the now aging pick-up.

Response has been good to the recently-released and road focused W580 built locally in collaboration with storied tuning outfit, Walkinshaw, and both houses alluded to the fact that a more off-road focused version was due some time next year, before the current truck ceases production.

We wouldn’t be surprised to see a V6-focused Wolfsburg final edition for the ute either, but there are no firm timings for either. Stay tuned as we learn more.

Read More About Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen sets its sights on Ford Ranger Raptor with Walkinshaw-tweaked off-road edition