Volkswagen Australia says sales of GTI and R models increased 264% year on year to more than 5,499 deliveries in 2023.
The marque says Australia is the number one market for Tiguan R and T-Roc R in the world, confirming that customers look to Volkswagen for fast SUV models as well as hot hatchbacks.
The $70,000 235kW turbo all-wheel drive Tiguan R performance medium SUV led with 2,227 sales in 2023 – up from 284 in 2022.
The SUV duo of T-Roc R and T-Roc R Grid Edition more than tripled sales to 1,846 – up from 566 in 2022.
In spite of supply restrictions, the new-generation Golf R moved from 151 deliveries in 2022, 37 deliveries in the first half of 2023, to a 309 deliveries in the second half of 2023 – for a 346 full-year total.
The 4.8-second 0-100km/h Golf R now returns to being available to order in Volkswagen showrooms, with next deliveries expected from June 2024.
Volkswagen’s Golf GTI hot hatch almost doubled volume from 370 deliveries in 2022 to 693 in 2023, with much higher volumes expected had supply eased earlier during last year.
Volkswagen says it remains the only brand in Australia committed to both light and small segment hot hatchbacks, the Polo GTI more than doubled sales from 139 in 2022 to 387 in 2023. Likewise, the potential for the smallest fast GTI to sell in even higher volumes continues to be limited only by supply.
Volkswagen passenger vehicles head of product Michelle Rowney says the sales increases for the GTI and R performance vehicles emphasised how much love the German brand held in the eyes of Australians.
“Volkswagen’s performance GTI and R models are unrivalled in the Australian market for their blend of class, speed and dynamics, and they are more highly sought after than the limited sports models offered by mainstream brands,” Rowney says.
“Australians understand that the Polo GTI, Golf GTI, Golf R, T-Roc R and Tiguan R, are attainable performance vehicles, yet they challenge a more expensive cohort in terms of interior and driving feel, and overall ability.
“The fact that Volkswagen’s most premium positioned models are among the most popular in this country simply illustrates the affinity that Australians have for the brand,” she says.
Only during the second half of 2023 did Volkswagen begin to meet the demand for the Polo GTI, Golf GTI, Golf R, T-Roc R and Tiguan R.
As the Golf R now returns to sale, the Tiguan R will also be available for deliveries into the third quarter of 2024.
The R range is complete in April with the addition of the Touareg R performance large SUV at $129,990 RRP*. More than 500 Australians have registered their interest in the performance plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) since the pricing was released to the public in December.
