The new generation of the Volkswagen T-Roc is unveiled as it arrives on the European market

Volkswagen had the idea of launching the T-Roc in 2017, and it was undoubtedly a masterstroke, as it has become the most important SUV for the German brand. Last year alone the company managed to sell 292,000 units in Europe, and to date they have sold more than two million units, thus overtaking the Tiguan, the second contender. Now the brand presents what will be its second generation, and it does so without wasting any time, since its arrival at European dealerships is imminent.

Broadly speaking, the new Volkswagen T-Roc retains its silhouette, close to a coupé, with a modernised look and, without doubt, a more aggressive and sporty stance than the outgoing generation. One need only look at the new design: the LED headlights fitted as standard, although with the optional LED Matrix IQ. LIGHT, depending on the equipment, we will add a narrow light strip. This design expression also applies to the new rear light cluster and, as at the front, will depend on the trim level or equipment chosen.

At the front, the new Volkswagen T-Roc substantially modifies the design of its grille, large enough to accommodate the brand’s logo and the light strip described above and, of course, the bumper has also been modified, maintaining large air intakes on the sides and centre with a newly designed look. On the side there are no excessive changes, but it is true that the C-pillar receives the greatest modifications, which also means the tailgate design changes, with a rear window that is now larger.

The interior of the new Volkswagen T-Roc does not undergo a change that could be considered enormous in terms of design, although it is true that these changes focus especially on the centre console and tunnel, with a more minimalist design, that is, an absence of buttons so that everything is handled by the infotainment system with its new screen. Volkswagen has concentrated especially on giving the T-Roc’s interior a more refined atmosphere, with new soft-touch surfaces and innovative technologies, without forgetting comfort for the occupants, now greater thanks to the 120 mm of extra space gained by this new generation, noticeable especially in the rear seats and in a boot that now reaches 475 litres, or in other words, 30 litres more than the outgoing generation.

Like the current Tiguan and Tayron, the new Volkswagen T-Roc also adopts the transversal modular platform MQB evo, thus benefiting from the advances in hardware and software of this platform, such as the new Travel Assist, the exit warning system or, for the first time on this model, the new Park Assist Pro. It is also worth noting that, for the first time, the T-Roc can optionally be fitted with a 14-way ergoActive seat with electric adjustment and massage function.

The all-in bet on electric has turned out badly for Volkswagen, as it has for all brands, which is why in the European market the T-Roc will continue to be offered exclusively with combustion engines, although these will be hybrids. At launch it will be available with the 1.5 eTSI petrol unit with 48 V mild-hybrid technology, in power outputs of 116 CV and 150 CV, sending power to the front axle; these will later be joined by another petrol unit, the 2.0 eTSI, but now with all-wheel drive 4Motion; all of them paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The most powerful option will arrive a little later, in the form of the T-Roc R.

In terms of equipment, Volkswagen has simplified the T-Roc’s configuration, combining standard and optional features and individual packages with the four equipment versions, all through a range comprising the Basic, Life, Style and R-Line trims; not forgetting the new Canary Yellow solid, Flamed Red metallic, Celestial Blue metallic and Grenadilla Black metallic colours for the bodywork.

For now we will have to wait to learn the price and equipment for the Spanish market, but Volkswagen has already confirmed that pre-sales of the T-Roc have already begun in Germany, with market arrival planned for November and a starting price of 30,845 euros. Therefore, knowing this, we can expect not to have to wait too long to have it in our country.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverVolkswagen T-Roc7 versions · from 34,285 €