The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan R packs 320 PS, AWD, 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds!

Like the recent surge in Malaysia's Covid-19 cases, the headlining numbers the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan R makes are unignorable: 320 PS, 420 Nm and only 4.9 seconds to reach 0-100 km/h.

It'll naturally draw parallels to the VW Golf R Mk8 and that's completely justifiable, since both of them share the same powertrain: EA888 evo4 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder mill and the DQ500 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG).

Also appearing in the hottest Tiguan yet is a new all wheel drive (AWD) system: 4Motion with R-Performance Torque Vectoring, which has a rear final drive with two multi-plate clutches.

In addition to distributing power between the front and rear axles, this system also distributes it variably between both rear wheels. 

VW says this has 'noticeably improved handling agility' and sets a 'new benchmark for SUV driving dynamics'. Pretty please VW, can we take one out for a spin? 

All of this sounds heavy, but it still packs plenty of punch: the Tiguan R's century sprint time is only two-tenths slower than the Golf R's. Top speed is 250 km/h - if it wasn't for the pesky electronic limiter, we're certain it'll go faster than that.

Other technical equipment include Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive damping, all-around big brakes (18-inch discs!), a lowered ride height and an additional R mode driving profile.

And don't forget there's a standard four-branch exhaust system, because pops and bangs are very cool to hear.

Looks wise, the Tiguan R gets R-design bumpers with high-gloss black or body-coloured slats and strakes, matte side mirror covers, black rear diffuser and 20-inch Misano wheels. 

Inside, it gets premium sports seats, R-specific Carbon Grey trim with ambient lighting, illuminated aluminium front sill panel mouldings and a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster with integrated lap timer.

No words have been shared about the spiciest Tiguan hitting Malaysian roads yet. Here, we recently welcomed the seven-seater Tiguan Allspace and the Allspace R-Line - which in itself is pretty much an SUV form of the Golf GTI.

Check out our roundup of both in the video below.