Volkswagen's smallest SUV is quite big. The 2018 Volkswagen T-Roc has made its official debut today at an event on the shores of Lake Como in Italy. Even though it shares its platform with the Polo supermini, it's only a little shorter than a SEAT Ateca.
At a pinch, the T-Roc might even work as a rival for the popular Nissan Qashqai. From one bumper to the next, Volkswagen's newest crossovers measures 4,234mm (166.7 inches). At 1,819 mm in width and 1,573 mm in height, the T-Roc is 252 mm shorter (9.9 inches), 11mm wider and 131 mm lower than the second-generation Tiguan (the one in Europe, not the U.S. model).
The wheelbase (102.5-inch or 2,603mm) is 31mm shorter than a Golf 5-door hatch, but also 55mm longer than the Polo. So most of the magic happens in the overhangs. Cargo space is substantially increased even over a Golf, measuring 445 liters to the tops of the rear seats or 1,290 liters with them folded flat.
They will be matched in power by the 1.6 TDI and 2. TDI. However, Volkswagen has gone bonkers and is offering two flagship engines with 190 HP. One is a TSI that runs a special combustion cycle, and the other is a very expensive TDI with 400 Nm, which is more than the Golf GTD offers.
Customers will also have the choice between the manual and 7-speed DSG autos, or even all-wheel drive on some models. That's something no other MQB A0 model offers right now.
We've seen so many spy photos and teasers that the exterior styling doesn't surprise us. In the metal, it will probably be a bit more interesting than these first photos suggests. However, we have no complaints about the interior, which has everything from wireless charging to a digital dashboard. But what do you think?
The wheelbase (102.5-inch or 2,603mm) is 31mm shorter than a Golf 5-door hatch, but also 55mm longer than the Polo. So most of the magic happens in the overhangs. Cargo space is substantially increased even over a Golf, measuring 445 liters to the tops of the rear seats or 1,290 liters with them folded flat.
So what's under the hood?
The European launch will include several very familiar engines. The range obviously has to kick off with a 1.0 TSI, which is a 3-cylinder turbo hat makes 115 HP and 200 Nm of torque. Above that is the one we'd buy, the 1.5 TSI with 150 HP and 250 Nm of torque.They will be matched in power by the 1.6 TDI and 2. TDI. However, Volkswagen has gone bonkers and is offering two flagship engines with 190 HP. One is a TSI that runs a special combustion cycle, and the other is a very expensive TDI with 400 Nm, which is more than the Golf GTD offers.
Customers will also have the choice between the manual and 7-speed DSG autos, or even all-wheel drive on some models. That's something no other MQB A0 model offers right now.
We've seen so many spy photos and teasers that the exterior styling doesn't surprise us. In the metal, it will probably be a bit more interesting than these first photos suggests. However, we have no complaints about the interior, which has everything from wireless charging to a digital dashboard. But what do you think?