► New VW T-Roc spotted
► Barely disguised prototype
► Golf-based mid-sized SUV
Prototype ahoy! This is the new Volkswagen T-Roc SUV, hardly disguised in our latest spy pictures. These images give us our best look yet at the new Golf-sized SUV that invades the empty space left by the second-generation Tiguan’s push upmarket.
As you can see from the pictures, the front-end design has hints of the Volkswagen family, but is it just us that can spot essences of Ford Edge in that grille? Running along the side, references to what will be the T-Roc’s sister car – the Audi Q2 – are pretty clear; the rear haunches and C-pillar don’t stray too far from the VW’s Ingolstadt sibling. The rear end has a similar profile to the Q2, too.
If the T-Roc were to share more than just a body shape with the Q2, you can expect to see the 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine and 1.6- and 2.0-litre diesels. The Golf’s brand new 1.5-litre TSI Evo engine could make the range, too. Along the same lines, most T-Roc models will most certainly be front-wheel-drive only, other than the top-spec diesel offering, and expect both manual and DSG automatic gearboxes in the range.
The original T-Roc concept broke cover at the 2014 Geneva motor show, and Volkswagen said back then that it was a ‘Golf-format concept car’ and a step down from the Tiguan in terms of size. The concept car was also based on the MQB platform – the platform used by Volkswagen Group on everything from the SEAT Ibiza to the Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Kodiaq.
In terms of pricing and a release date, we should expect to see the T-Roc on sale by the end of this year, with prices undercutting the now-plusher Tiguan.
What’s the story on Volkswagen’s SUV future?
When Volkswagen showed off the T-Roc concept back in 2014, the brand confirmed three more SUV models would be joining the Tiguan and Touareg in its range.
A B-segment SUV to rival cars like the Renault Captur, Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008 is among the confirmed new models on the way, and was previewed by the T-Cross Breeze concept first seen at the 2016 Geneva motor show. What we do know is that the baby SUV – tipped to be called the T-Cross when it goes on sale some time in 2018 – will use the MQB A0 platform first seen on the new SEAT Ibiza hatch.
Check out more Volkswagen spy shots here