The $67,000 Volkswagen Tiguan R comes with a $36,500 gas tax in France

If you are looking for a Tiguan that is fast in this country, there will be a steep penalty.

The TiguanR is now part of Volkswagen’s global lineup. The Tiguan R, a compact crossover that packs a lot of power under its hood, was revealed during the launch.

The US market has yet to receive the Tiguan R, but it appears that the rest of the world will soon enjoy the fast VW Tiguan – even if you live in France. The 2021 Ecological Penalty is the punishment for the Tiguan’s most powerful version. It can be as high as 30,000 euros, or approximately $36,500 at current exchange rates.

Needless to say, that’s an eye-watering penalty for the conventionally-powered Tiguan R, which uses the same turbocharged 2.0-liter unit in the Golf R. The engine produces 316 horsepower (236 Kilowatts) as well as 310 pound-feet (442 Newton-meters) of torque. This is quite powerful for a small crossover, but it comes at a high price for the French buyer.

The Tiguan R has been ordered in Europe. It has a starting price in France of 54,900 euros, or approximately $67,000. The model’s cost would rise to six figures if you add the penalty mentioned above. This is not an attractive price, especially for a Volkswagen.

The Ecological Penalty is a result of the French government’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions. It discourages buyers from buying ICE-powered cars and encourages them to choose electrified options. This is not surprising given the strict adherence to the European’s promise to protect the environment.

However, the penalty is too severe. The incentives to electrify and electric vehicles in the US are more than the penalties.