Eight cars that aren't the VW Tiguan R that offer 300bhp+

The new Volkswagen Tiguan R produces a not insignificant 316bhp from its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It’s chuffing quick and will do 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds before running on to a top speed of 155mph, but it’s not what you’d traditionally call engaging. So, how else can you get that 300bhp fix? Click through for some top TG suggestions…

The obvious choice here is, of course the hot hatch. You could play it safe with the 306bhp Mk7.5 Golf R, or you could match the Tiguan’s power output with the 316bhp Honda Civic Type R. We know what we’d do.

Truly have your heart set on a VW SUV? There’s only one route to go down. Yep, you need a five-owner 309bhp Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI. Try and focus on the mammoth amount of torque (550lb ft) rather than the mammoth repair bills you’ll be left with though.    

If you don’t need the practicality of an SUV, allow us to suggest something with a little less boot space and a little less kerb weight – the Ariel Atom 4. Entry price for the Atom 4 is actually £39,975 and its 2.0-litre turbocharged Honda engine makes 320bhp, so it’s basically a Tiguan R rival.

Prefer a dip into the classifieds? The facelifted E36 M3, launched in 1995, featured a 3.2-litre version of BMW’s S50 straight-six engine. It developed – you guessed it – 316bhp and can be picked up for a little over £10,000 these days. Looks like a bargain in this company, doesn’t it?

Or how about another form of six-cylinder power? The Nissan 370Z offers tail-happy dynamics and a meaty V6 powerplant with 328bhp, as well as the option of a six-speed manual gearbox. Buy sports cars people, otherwise they’ll only sell us Tiguan Rs for the rest of time. 

Talking of meaty powerplants, the Pontiac GTO’s 6.4-litre V8 made 325bhp when it was launched in 1964. Developed by one John DeLorean too – what could possibly go wrong?

Image: RM Sotheby's

But what if you want over 300bhp, plus a massive argument when trying to buy the thing? Aha, how about attempting to convince Renault to sell you its Twingo Twin’Run concept from 2013? The rear-wheel drive city car featured a 320bhp V6 from a Mégane Trophy racer mounted midship, as well as a twin-clutch SADEV six-speed sequential ‘box and a limited-slip diff. More of that please, Renault. 

Right, last but not least we move to the future, although some of you might prefer to turn right around and head on back a few years. Yep, the now-confirmed Skoda Enyaq vRS will have 302bhp and 339lb ft of all-electric power. Fancy it?