When the new Golf-sized T-Roc crossover enters production in a few months’ time, it will be eleven years since Nissan defined and began its domination of a new vehicle class with the Qashqai. This is just the first of multiple additional Volkswagens too – Europe’s most successful brand is finally fully embracing crossovers and SUVs.
The 4,234mm long T-Roc has been a long time coming, with VW having previously only had the Tiguan in the C and now D size classes, whereas many of its rivals have added several crossovers and SUVs to their model ranges.
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Herbert Diess, chairman of the Volkswagen brand’s Board of Management, said at the world premiere in Italy during the evening of 23 August: “The T-Roc sets a new benchmark in the booming SUV segment. With its functionality, dynamic handling and technology, the T-Roc embodies all good Volkswagen qualities. It marks a milestone in our SUV offensive.”
The new model is to be available with both front- and all-wheel drive, as well as a two-tone body and roof. Dark plastic trim covers the wheel-arches, side sills and front/rear ends.
in Europe: T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace, Touareg
This additional SUV is positioned below the Tiguan and like the latter and the Atlas/Teramont, it is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB).
Luggage capacity is 445 litres when all five seats are occupied or when the 60/40 split backrests are lowered, this rises to 1,290 litres.
Standard safety features for all variants includes Front Assist area monitoring with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, Automatic Post-Collision Braking, and Lane Assist. Air conditioning, a ‘Composition Colour’ infotainment system, LED tail light clusters, a black underbody guard and LED daytime running lights in the front bumper are also part of the standard specification.
Exact details of engines have not been issued to the media as yet. These are likely to be revealed during the press presentation of the T-Roc at next month’s Frankfurt IAA. For the moment, the company says only that three petrol engines (TSI) and three diesels (TDI) will be offered, each one turbocharged.
What Volkswagen terms the T-Roc’s ‘market launch’ begins across Europe from November.
The second generation Tiguan is larger than the first so this is the reason why there is space in VW’s range of SUVs for this additional model above the future T-Cross. The T-Roc’s wheelbase, at 2,603mm, is identical to that of the Tiguan’s.
Build locations
The T-Roc, originally a two-door SUV concept, was first seen at the 2014 Geneva motor show. Volkswagen of America is said to be especially keen to have this model in its line-up. It could be built at Puebla in Mexico but it won’t be on sale in the USA until 2019.
FAW Volkswagen is understood to have been chosen as the JV which will build this model in China. Most other Volkswagen SUVs built in China are made by SAIC Volkswagen.
The European production location for VW276, the T-Roc, is Palmela (Setúbal) in Portugal.
The next Volkswagen SUV to be revealed will be the third generation Touareg. Its press presentation will take place in November.
