Volkswagen confirms local T-Roc line-up
Volkswagen South Africa has finally opened the order books for its all-new T-Roc ahead of its official market introduction planned for September.
Now in its second generation and slotting between the Taigo and Tiguan, VW is giving us a glimpse of what the range looks like, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. That said, there’s a single engine available for selection at this stage in the form of a 1.4-litre TSI variant with 110kW and 250Nm. Power is sent to the front axle via an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox.
We’ve seen this play out before, most notably with the Tiguan, where the 1.4 TSI arrived first before the 2.0-litre TSI joined the range later. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if VW SA follows a similar route with the T-Roc and adds more engines down the line. After all, the current T-Roc range already includes a 2.0-litre TSI in the local market.
In the looks department, it’s a major departure from the outgoing T-Roc, and we don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. The new model looks cleaner and more grown-up, with a slimmer front end, sharper LED lighting and a more sculpted body. It also picks up plenty of cues from VW’s latest T-series models, although that design language has certainly divided opinion.
Inside, there’s a new dashboard design with VW claiming it’s wrapped in premium soft-touch materials, a standard 10.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the latest Digital Cockpit. The boot space has been increased by 30 litres, bringing the total to 475 litres, helped by the T-Roc’s increased overall length.
The new VW T-Roc looks like a notable step forward for the brand, even if the single-engine launch leaves us wanting a little more. Still, the sharper styling, more modern cabin and increased practicality give it a more assertive presence than before. Now, we just need to know how much it will cost.
VW SA is expected to reveal the pricing and full range at this year’s Festival of Motoring. Until then, it’s hard to say just how competitive this new T-Roc will be.
