Volkswagen Tiguan R MK2 Riviera RF23

If you are looking to elevate the road presence of your performance SUV, you have come to the right place. The MK2 Volkswagen Tiguan R is already a powerhouse of a vehicle, combining everyday practicality with the heart of a hot hatch. However, if you really want to unlock its visual potential, a set of Riviera wheels will do the trick.

We recently had this stunning Lapiz Blue MK2 Volkswagen Tiguan R in the workshop and we gave it a massive styling and handling upgrade. Here is a breakdown of the vehicle, the wheels we chose and how we achieved the perfect, flush fitment.

The Volkswagen Tiguan R occupies a unique space in the SUV market. Under the hood, the MK2 model packs a punchy 2.0 litre turbocharged TSI engine throwing down 320 PS, mated to a lightning fast DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive. It is a genuine performance vehicle trapped in a family sized body.

While the factory styling is sporty, the stock wheel setup can leave the car looking a little tucked into the arches. For a car this fast and focused, it deserves a more planted, muscular appearance. Our customer’s car was finished in Volkswagen’s iconic Lapiz blue paintwork, the perfect canvas for a high contrast wheel upgrade.

To complement the striking blue paintwork, we selected a set of our NEW Riviera RF23 alloy wheels finished in a sleek Gloss Black.

The Riviera RF23 is a masterpiece of modern wheel design. It features a highly unique, contemporary aesthetic centred around a classic split 5-spoke configuration. Each main spoke splits wide as it radiates out from the deeply recessed hub, creating a sharp, structural star silhouette. What truly sets the RF23 apart from conventional wheels is its intricate outer perimeter. A beautifully engineered, windowed stepped-lip pattern that creates a continuous ring of geometric blocks around the wheel face, drawing inspiration from motorsport.

When it comes to upgrading wheels on the MK2 Tiguan R, getting the right fitment is everything. Go too small, and the wheel gets lost in the large arches, go too wide and you risk rubbing.

For this setup, we stayed conservative with 21×9 all round, just a tad wider than the OEM fitment of 21×8.5.

Running 21×9 all round fills the Tiguan R’s massive wheel wells perfectly without compromising the car’s advanced 4MOTION four wheel drive system. By calculating the perfect offset, the outer edge of the Gloss Black Riviera RF23 wheels sits perfectly level with the Tiguan’s wider “R” arch extensions.

The result? An incredibly aggressive stance, zero tyre rubbing and a wide, planted look that makes this blue MK2 Tiguan R look like it is absolutely glued to the tarmac.

A set of Riviera wheels completely transforms the look, feel and character of the MK2 Tiguan R. The combination of the Gloss Black finish against the vibrant blue paintwork, paired with the motorsport-inspired lip of the RF23, completely reinvents this performance SUV.