What is the difference between Volkswagen R and R-Line?

Many automotive manufacturers either build dedicated vehicles for racing disciplines across the world or in some cases even have their own factory team competing in specific motorsport classes. For this, the automotive marques will usually set up a dedicated motorsport or performance division within the company. In the case of Volkswagen, that division is called Volkswagen Racing or rather Volkswagen R.

When these racing vehicles acquire success on the track, often public customers would want a road-legal version of that model made to purchase and use on normal roads. Now if they can't get an exact copy, they will settle for a model which on a visual and performance basis is similar. These are often the performance models within an automaker's product range.

So before you sell your car quickly and instantly through our Instant Offer tool here and start your search for new or used Volkswagen models on AutoTrader here. Let's find out what the difference is between R and R-Line derivatives.

 

Related: What is the difference between Audi S and Audi RS?

 

Volkswagen R

 

Even though Volkswagen customers could purchase a Golf GTI to satisfy their need for performance, some still wanted additional performance as well as styling to go with it. Thus in 2002, the German automaker unveiled the Mk. 4 Golf R32. The model not only featured a larger and more powerful engine but it also came fitted with most of the premium features as standard.

Over the generations of Volkswagen products, this theme has remained where the R model is not only the most powerful and fastest production offering of that particular model range but also come as standard with almost every feature on the options list. Furthermore, there feature variant-specific trim pieces such as the wheels, dual exhaust pipes and interior upholstery.

Here are some of the latest Golf R and Tiguan R examples for sale.

 

Volkswagen R-Line

 

But what do you do if all you want is the sporty trim from the R models? Well, Volkswagen has developed a range of trim items for the less performance-oriented models. R-Line specified models retains the smaller engines but benefit from items such as new front and rear bumpers, gloss black window surrounds and larger and more aggressive wheel options. On the interior, these models further benefit from additional comfort equipment as well as upgraded upholstery. 

Here are some R Line examples for sale.

 

The difference

While models that are specified with R-Line trim might appear to be part of Volkswagen's performance range, they don't offer the powertrain that is featured in Volkswagen R models. Thus if you want the performance to match the looks, you would want to buy a Volkswagen R model instead.