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The new VW T-Roc is finally here

1 Dec 2020

The VW T-Roc has finally made its way to South Africa, thus completing the SUV range for the German marque. Judging purely from the backorders placed since its virtual launch a few months ago, the T-Roc is going to be a hit in the market-place with VW fans.

Image credit: Naresh Maharaj

The T-Roc is now immediately available in the following derivatives; 1.4 TSI 110kW Design, 2.0 TSI 140kW 4Motion DSG Design and the top-of-the-range 2.0 TSI 140kW 4Motion DSG R-Line.

I tested the 1.4 TSI 110kW and the 2.0 TSi 140kW 4Motion DSG and was left suitably impressed. There is no doubt that Mzansi is following the European trend with the growth in SUV demand from 2015 increasing by some 44%.

International experts estimate that the compact SUV segment worldwide will almost double in size over the next decade. It’s no wonder really that VW has added yet another SUV to the market, less than 12 months since the launch of the T-Cross.

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

The exterior design is appealing to the eye and is distinctly VW. 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.

Image credit: Naresh Maharaj

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 to frame the rear lid thus giving the T-Roc a sportier look.

Interior: robust SUV feel

The interior matches 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. Ambient lighting, which is white for the design derivative and red for the R-Line derivative, completes the interior style design.

Digital and interactive

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 smartphone to the USB port in order to get this functionality.

Colour toned

The T-Roc is the first Volkswagen SUV that will be available to order in two-tone paintwork with 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.

Standard 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 (black) and Park Distance Control - front and rear. Add to this, there is a slew of safety management systems.

It’s optional

Optional features on all derivatives includes; the panoramic sunroof, electronic trailer hitch, smoker’s package, Discover Pro navigation system with a 9.2" screen, the Beats sound system and the Park Package.

Customers have a choice of the 1.4 TSI eight-speed Tiptronic engine with a power output of 110kW and torque of 250Nm. The entry-level engine has a fuel consumption of 6.9l/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. The fuel consumption on this engine is 8.3l/100km.

Verdict

When I was given the test route guide to drive from Stellenbosch to Hermanus, I got into the drivers’ seat in a flash. After all, I would be driving the T-Roc along the twisty and winding Cape Overberg route, which has to be one of the most scenic routes in SA or if the not the world.

The road hugs the foot of the mountains with the sea just metres away. Breath-taking indeed. And what better way to drive this beautiful route than in a VW T-Roc. Both the 1.4l and the 2l was very responsive in hugging the curves and providing plenty of power when needed for quick overtaking.

The one feature that was attention-grabbing for me was the almost round daytime running lights that are lit in white LED but starts flashing yellow when you indicate. You can see this from a mile away and adds to the many safety features of the T-Roc. A smooth and pleasant drive throughout the journey.

Whilst we were just two in the SUV, the T-Roc can seat five adults comfortably. In need, the backrests can 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. Load up the golf bag, the surfboards, luggage and the like. We are going for a ride in the all-new T-Roc.