VOLKSWAGEN has added a fifth model to the brand’s SUV range in South Africa, the T-Roc.
The T-SUV range in the Southern African market now consists of the T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and the Touareg.
Volkswagen is extending its model range by adding a compact-class crossover that sets a new benchmark in the SUV segment with its functionality, dynamic handling and technology. The T-Roc, which slots above the T-Cross and below the Tiguan in the Volkswagen SUV range, offers maximum personalisation, innovative digitalisation, perfect connectivity, class-leading driver assistance systems, dynamic engines and above all a modern and expressive design.
Exterior design
Numerous design elements define the new five-seater’s style; at the front it is the wide radiator grille unit with integrated dual headlights and the repositioned light signature, which make the T-Roc unmistakable even at night.
The lines of the elongated silhouette are characterised by a particularly striking chrome element that runs from the A-pillars across the complete side roof line 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 at framing the rear lid and in turn giving the T-Roc a sportier look. The T-Roc will also be among the first Volkswagen models to display the new Volkswagen logo in South Africa.
The T-Roc is the first Volkswagen SUV that will be available to order in two-tone paintwork with a visually contrasting roof section.
On the Design derivatives, customers have a choice of pure white, red and black on the roof and exterior mirror housings.
These roof and exterior mirror housings can be paired with various exterior colours, thus giving T-Roc customers 26 different colour options. The R-Line derivative will have 21 different colour options.
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 445 litres.
The backrests can also be folded down in a 60/40 split, yielding luggage capacity of up to 1 290 litres and hardly any other SUV in this class offers such a spacious package.
Interior features
The interior has been adapted to match the exterior design. It has a robust SUV feel and modern treatment of surfaces.
The interplay between the active info display and the specific infotainment system creates a new, digital and interactive cockpit.
To further enhance the individual offering, 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.
Innovative digital offering
The T-Roc will come standard with Composition Media radio and App-Connect.
The Composition radio has an 8-inch colour touch screen with two USB ports easily located in the centre console of the vehicle. App-Connect makes it possible to connect your smartphone to the radio system which enables the user to operate selected mobile phone apps from the touchscreen.
In the T-Roc App-Connect has been upgraded to Wireless App-Connect, meaning you no longer need to connect your smart phone to the USB port in order to get this functionality.
In addition to being able to charge your phone via the USB ports, the Composition Media radio also has the option for compatible phones to be charged inductively.
This mobile inductive charging function is standard on the R-Line derivative.
If integrated navigation is required, Discover Media infotainment is available as an optional feature.
We Connect Go is also standard in the range and allows T-Roc customers to pair their vehicle to their smartphone.
The instrument cluster can be full 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.
The interplay between the active info display and the infotainment system creates a new digital and interactive cockpit.
I.Q Drive technologies
In the T-Roc, the level of passive safety features included are electronic stability control, park distance control, LED headlights, light and vision package, blind spot monitor and fatigue detection.
In addition to these safety features, I.Q Drive technologies are also available on the T-Roc.
The technologies support Volkswagen’s journey to autonomous driving and represent the relevant driver assistant systems which aid the parking, driving and security of the T-Roc.
The I.Q Drive technologies included in the T-Roc are 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 and park distance control.
The top-of-the-range T-Roc R-Line comes standard with high-tech systems such as front assist area monitoring with 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 R-Line 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
Customers have a choice of the 1.4 TSI eight-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/h in 8.4s, has a fuel consumption of 6.9F/100km and a top speed of 205km.
The 2.0 TSI engine with seven-speed DSG and 4MOTION is the second engine in the range and has a power output of 140kW and torque of 320Nm.
It takes just 7.2 seconds to go from 0 – 100km, with the top speed being 216km.
The fuel consumption on this engine is 8.3F/100km.
The Volkswagen T-Roc comes standard with a three-year/120 000km warranty, five-year/ 90 000km Volkswagen service plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service interval is 15 000km.
Volkswagen South Africa will only announce pricing for the T-Roc range in August 2020.
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.
