Volkswagen: This is what's new with the best-selling T-Roc
FUN AND SPORT The VW T-Roc is one of those typical VW success stories: launched in 2017 without a predecessor in the segment later than the competition, the car rolled up the field of compact SUVs from behind within a short time.
With more than one million sales in the last four years, the crossover, which will be joined by the sporty R variant at the end of 2019 and a convertible in spring 2020, has become a permanent fixture in the Wolfsburg model range. The changes at the model's halfway point were correspondingly cautious.
The most striking new features are the now standard LED headlights, darkened taillights, a light bar in the radiator grille, and new two-tone paint finishes and aluminum wheels from 17 to 19 inches.
A digital instrument cluster as standard
The infotainment display is now positioned on the instrument panel in tablet style and is thus on the same visual axis as the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Depending on the equipment, the infotainment display is 8.0 inches or 9.2 inches in size.
The compact SUV also has a digital instrument cluster as standard, which is up to 10.25 inches in size as an optional Digital Cockpit Pro. The multifunction steering wheel with its new design, which is also part of the standard equipment, also contributes to intuitive operation.
Diesel and gasoline engines with up to 300 hp output
Engines and powertrains, on the other hand, have not been touched - which also rules out any kind of electrification for the time being. Two TSI and two TDI engines are available. Depending on the drive, power is transmitted to a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DSG.
The four-cylinder engines produce 150 hp as the 1.5-liter TSI and 190 hp as the 2.0-liter TSI. Two 2.0-liter TDI four-cylinder engines with 115 hp and 150 hp respectively complete the range.
As an alternative to front-wheel drive, the 4Motion all-wheel drive in conjunction with the 150 hp diesel engine ensures particularly superior power transmission. The 2.0-liter TSI with 190 hp is combined with 4Motion as standard.
The 4Motion drive is always included in the top model T-Roc R with 300 hp (gallery below) output, as are the 7-speed DSG transmission, a sports suspension and high-performance brakes.
Electrically operated three-layer textile soft top
As an open crossover model, the T-Roc combines the robustness of an SUV with the lightness of open vehicles. The new T-Roc Cabriolet has an electrically operated three-layer textile soft top that can be opened in nine seconds. The powertrain options are a 1.0-liter TSI engine with 110 hp and a 1.5-liter TSI with 150 hp.
Sales of the new T-Roc and the new T-Roc Cabriolet are scheduled to start in December, with the new T-Roc R available to order from the beginning of next year. Prices for Switzerland are not yet available.
