Even with a relatively long delay in relation to the mainstream competition of the class, VW is dynamically entering the commercial field of small crossover models, revealing with all formality today the new T-Roc.
But what exactly does the newly arrived VW T-Roc stand for, though? Is it a smaller and taller Golf with "borrowed" elements from the now crowded arena of small crossovers, or is it a more popular version of the Audi Q2, with which they share the same floor? A little of everything, is the answer, as the new T-Roc is trying to "place" the absent Germans of VW to this day in a category in which the protagonists have long been famous names of the genre, such as Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, and very soon, Hyundai Kona and Seat Arona.
In terms of design, the T-Roc's 4,234 m figure proves to be quite nice, although it is not far behind the familiar aesthetic paths that the German manufacturer's first-line models have been following in recent years. According to VW, this is a model with a "very emotional design", something that of course must be addressed first by the audience itself and then by its creators.
Structurally, as mentioned above, it is based on a modified version of the Q MQB multi-layered floor, which comes to provide competition for class and size data. It is characteristic that the loading space has a capacity of 445 liters, a better performance by 65 liters compared to that of a 5-door Golf. It is also noteworthy that the wheelbase of the construction reaches 2,603 m. Just like with the Tiguan.
Compared to a Golf, however, it is only 21 mm. shorter, by 120 mm. taller, but also 21 mm. wider. Its wheelbase is not inferior to the German "hatch" by only 31 mm.
Its interior looks elegant, without again claiming laurels of originality. Of course, it has all the necessary comfort, safety and interface goodies. In this regard, the statement of the people of VW is typical, who state with emphasis and pride that "the new T-Roc is a 100% on-line car".
In the field of mechanical parts, the choice of VW executives to install a multi-link device on the rear axle and not the D. cheaper and possibly less efficient semi-flexible rear axle. As announced, the T-Roc will be offered in front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions, as well as two types of transmission - manual and DSG.
And so we happily get to the engines, with the range consisting of three TSI and an equal number of TDI. The basic TSI is the well-known 3-cylinder 1.000 hp of the German group, which delivers 115 hp for the occasion, while immediately after we meet the 1.500 hp TSI of the Golf, which for the occasion delivers 150 hp. The top petrol version of the TSI series is 2 liters, with 190 hp. In terms of TDI diesel engines, VW offers the 1.6 TDi (115 hp) as well as the 2.0 TDI in 150 and 190 hp versions. The good "2 liter TDI as well as the 2 liter TSI are offered exclusively with the" 7-speed "DSG and four-wheel drive (4Motion), a combination that is potentially offered in the 1.5 TSI as well as the" small "2-liter TDI.
It is worth mentioning that VW intends in the next 2 to 3 years to present a smaller version of the T-Roc, which will be based on the original T-Cross Concept. So, with the presence of these two crossovers and the commercial "present" of the two available versions of Tiguan and the new Touareg, which we "expect" later this year, the range of SUV / crossovers models of VW will consist of five different suggestions.