VW reinvents itself with the T-Roc
COMPACT SUV It's going to rock the small crossover segment: the T-Roc from Volkswagen. Importer Amag has no doubt that the "Golf among SUVs" will really shake up the market, as it is expected that as many as half as many T-Rocs will be sold in 2018 as Golf [...].
In recent decades, Volkswagen has often been one of the last manufacturers to jump on a trend. Whether Touran, Touareg or Tiguan - the Germans were always late. But they also regularly rolled up the field from behind with the respective model. In the compact SUV segment, the T-Roc is now set to do the same. The crossover with the identical wheelbase of a Golf and three centimeters more in length is competing to make life difficult for Qashqai & Co. A look at the past shows that it could certainly succeed.
Compact SUV growth segment
At the presentation, VW brand board member Dr. Herbert Diess forecast that the segment will double in the next ten years from around 6.4 million vehicles today to around 10.6 million. The brand is preparing for this: "Soon we will have 19 SUVs in the range." These are expected to account for 40 percent of the volume sold. Following the Tiguan, Atlas/Teramont and Touareg, the newcomer's name also begins with a "T." The "Roc" in the name stands for the claim to rock. Accordingly, the motto at the premiere was "Ready to Roc.
Important model also for Switzerland
The T-Roc is set to become one of the brand's most important models, and VW is in agreement on that. The volume model combines compact mass with crisp proportions and high utility value (five seats, 445-liter trunk volume) with - by VW standards - progressive avant-garde design. The customization options in particular are downright revolutionary for the rather down-to-earth brand. For the first time, VW's Bicolor concept offers the option of choosing from four roof colors (in which the side mirrors are also painted) and combining them with eleven body colors.
The wide range of assistance systems also conveys a sense of safety: Front Assist with city emergency braking function and Lane Assist are even standard. Of course, the new generation of the Active Info Display is also on board and complements the elegantly designed, glazed information systems. The center console has been designed to be clear and structured.
Performance identical diesel and gasoline
Clearly arranged: three TSI and TDI turbocharged engines each with 115, 150 and 190 hp are available, with the top engines featuring 4Motion all-wheel drive and 7-speed DSG as standard.
The start of sales and ordering in Switzerland is in October. Only then will the prices be fixed. We estimate that the basic version with 115 hp (front-wheel drive and manual transmission only) will cost around 23,000 Swiss francs. The first vehicles will be delivered in December.
