What's all this about?
It's the Volkswagen T-Roc and no, that name isn't inspired by some low-level rapper you've never heard of, but is instead a conglomeration of the letter 'T' (relating it to the Tiguan and Touareg SUVs that already exist in the VW catalogue) and a bastardisation of the word 'rock'. Which presumably is used in a variety of meanings, such as tough like a big stone, to shake up the compact crossover establishment and to rock a rakish coupe-like look. Although, presumably, there are no connotations to cylindrical peppermint-flavoured sticks with lettering running through them.
I'm afraid you've lost me there. Can we discuss the looks?
The T-Roc, for all its visual raciness, is actually the baby of the Volkswagen SUV canon and therefore will be cheaper than the £23,000 required to park your backside in the larger Tiguan. That's good news, because we think the T-Roc is a proper looker. Volkswagen will offer it in a bi-colour finish, clothing that sweeping roof in a different hue to the chunky bodywork, and there's also a neat chrome accent line that runs from A-to-C-pillar on the SUV. Up front, distinctive daytime running lamps encircling the faux grilles in the outer edges of the bumper will give the T-Roc a unique light signature when it's running at night, we particularly love the bugling emphasis of the wheel arches fore and aft and at the back is a neat hatchback with LED lamps and a dropped number plate. Yep, we like this one.
How about within?
You know it's going to be classily built and you know it's going to come with a load of connectivity and infotainment technology. And that's true - infotainment touchscreens up to eight inches in size, sequestered behind a flush glass display, are on offer, as is the lovely 11.7-inch Active Info Display digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, Volkswagen Car-Net connectivity and a 300-watt Beats sound system. What you probably weren't expecting were splashes of body coloured liberally applied to the interior.
What about the T-Roc's mechanical make-up?
The T-Roc is built on the MQB architecture and despite being compact (fully 252mm shorter than a Tiguan at 4,234mm overall), VW says it has maximised interior space by stretching the wheelbase. Thus, five adults can sit inside and the boot is a capacious 445 litres as standard, rising to 1,290 litres if you pop the 60:40 split folding rear seats down.
I was asking you about the engines and transmissions...
OK, this is beautifully simple from Volkswagen. There are six turbocharged engines, three TSI petrols (1.0 three-cylinder, 1.5 four-cylinder with Active Cylinder Technology and a 2.0 four-pot) and three TDIs (which are made up of just two four-cylinder diesel engines, these being a 1.6 and a 2.0). However, they all have matching outputs.
What do you mean?
The base 1.0 TSI and 1.6 TDI have 115hp. The 1.5 TSI and the first 2.0 TDI have 150hp. And the 2.0 TSI and second 2.0 TDI have 190hp. Go for base power and you'll have a front-wheel-drive T-Roc with a six-speed manual gearbox, no questions asked. Go for top power and you must have four-wheel drive (4Motion) and a DSG automatic. Only at the 150hp level can you choose your drivetrain specification. Volkswagen hasn't released any performance or economy stats as yet, but look to the Tiguan line-up to get an idea of what sort of numbers these units will turn in.
Anything else on the technology side?
Yes, expect masses of comfort and driver assist gizmos, such as (but not limited to) drive mode profiles, Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive Chassis Control (adjustable damping, in essence), progressive steering, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Lane Assist, Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking, Dynamic Road Sign Display, a rear-view camera, Blind Spot Monitor, Traffic Jam Assist, Driver Alert System... the list just goes on and on here.
And when will the T-Roc be on sale?
It should hit European markets in November 2017, with order books opening sometime in September. More details on UK prices, specs and figures to come as they are confirmed.
Matt Robinson - 23 Aug 2017