Welcome to Volkswagen's latest SUV the T-Roc

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The SUV market is growing rapidly in South Africa and from 2015 to 2019 it increased by 44%. International experts estimate that the compact SUV segment worldwide will almost double in size over the next decade. It is for this reason that Volkswagen South Africa is introducing another model in the compact SUV space, less than 12 months since the launch of the T-Cross.

As part of the biggest model offensive in its history, Volkswagen is extending its model range by adding a compact-class crossover. The T-Roc, which slots above the T-Cross and below the Tiguan in the Volkswagen SUV range, offers personalisation, digitalisation, connectivity, driver assistance systems, and above all a modern and expressive design.

In the local market, the T-Roc will be available in the following derivatives; 1.4 TSI 110kW Design, 2.0 TSI 140kW 4Motion DSG Design and the 2.0 TSI 140kW 4motion DSG R-Line. The introduction of the T-Roc comes with new naming for the trim lines under Volkswagen’s new “Y” structure line up.

The base models will branch out into two different line structures offering different levels of specification to suit the different customer needs. The T-Roc offering has the Design line for customers looking for more styling elements and the R-Line is aimed at customers looking for more sporty levels of specification.

Exterior design

Numerous design elements define the SUV's style. At the front, there is a wide radiator grille unit with integrated dual headlights and the repositioned light signature. The lines of the elongated silhouette are characterised by a particularly striking chrome element that runs from the A-pillars across the complete side roofline all the way into the C-pillar and is reminiscent of a coupé.

The off-road look is enhanced by all-round, dark plastic trim, which protects the bodywork around the wheel arches and side sills, as well as the vehicle's front and rear. The rear bumper styling is just as distinctive as the front, with the design aimed to frame the rear lid and in turn, give the T-Roc a sportier look. The T-Roc will also be amongst the first Volkswagen models to display the new Volkswagen logo in South Africa.

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The Design derivatives come standard with the 17-inch Mayfield alloy wheel and have two further options of an 18-inch Montego alloy wheel as well as an 18-inch Grange Hill alloy wheel. The R-Line derivative comes standard with the 19-inch Suzuka alloy wheel.

The T-Roc is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB), meaning that the T-Roc offers a Golf-like level of ride comfort; it is 80mm longer than the T-Cross and 162mm shorter than the Tiguan. When all five seats are occupied, luggage space is 445l. The backrests can also be folded down in a 60/40 split, yielding luggage capacity of up to 1,290l.

Interior features

The interior has been adapted to match the exterior design. It has a robust SUV feel and a modern treatment of surfaces. There's an interplay between the Active Info Display and the infotainment system.

The Design derivative, in addition to the standard limestone grey dashboard colour, has a further three interior colours to choose from, whilst on the R-Line derivative, the interior dashboard colour is Caribou Grey. Ambient lighting, which is white for the Design derivative and red for the R-Line derivative, completes the interior style design.

The digital offering

The T-Roc comes standard with Composition Media radio and App-Connect. The Composition radio has an 8-inch colour touch screen with two USB ports located in the centre console of the vehicle. We Connect Go is also standard in the range and allows T-Roc customers to pair their vehicle to their smartphone.

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The instrument cluster can be fully digitalised with the optional Active Info Display digital cluster. The high-resolution 11.7-inch screen makes it possible to adapt instruments to personal needs in various screen views.

I.Q Drive technologies

The level of passive safety features included are Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Park Distance Control, LED Headlights, Light and Vision Package, Blind Spot Monitor and Fatigue Detection.

I.Q Drive technologies are also available on the T-Roc. The I.Q Drive technologies include Park Assist, Emergency Assist, Front Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist.

Specifications

Standard specification on the 1.4 TSI Design and 2.0 TSI Design derivatives are details such as climatronic air conditioning, the Composition Media infotainment system, connectivity via the We Connect Go app, Voice Control, LED tail light cluster, visual underbody guard (black) and Park Distance Control (front and rear).

The top-of-the-range T-Roc R-Line comes standard with Front Assist area monitoring, City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and the lane-keeping system Lane Assist.

Also standard on the top-of-the-range derivative are the Light Assist package, LED daytime running lights in the bumper and dynamic cornering lights, 19-inch Suzuka alloy wheels, the latest generation Active info display, Keyless entry, Mobile phone inductive charging, Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist and Vienna leather seats.

Optional features on all derivatives include; the panoramic sunroof, electronic trailer hitch, smoker’s package, Discover Pro navigation system with a 9.2-inch screen, the Beats sound system and the Park Package.

Two petrol engines for the T-Roc model range

The new T-Roc can be ordered with a choice of two efficient petrol engines at launch.

Customers have a choice of the 1.4 TSI 8-speed Tiptronic engine with a power output of 110kW at 5,000-6 000rpm and torque of 250Nm. The entry-level engine reaches 0-100km in 8.4 seconds, has a fuel consumption of 6.9l/100km and a top speed of 205km.

The 2.0 TSI engine with 7-speed DSG and 4Motion s the second engine in the range and has a power output of 140kW and torque of 320Nm. It takes 7.2 seconds to go from 0 – 100km, with the top speed being 216km. The fuel consumption on this engine is 8.3l/100km.

The Volkswagen T-Roc comes standard with a three-year/120,000km warranty, a five-year/90,000km Volkswagen Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service interval is 15,000km.

The T-Roc 1.4TSI 110kW Tiptronic Design and 2.0TSI 140kW 4Motion DSG R-Line will officially go on sale in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana from November 2020. The 2.0TSI 140kW 4Motion DSG Design derivative will go on sale in January 2021.