Photo: Stefan Baldauf / Robert Kah
Out of the depths of the economic crisis a new niche has emerged in Europe. Crossovers have become hugely popular with mainstream and premium brands launching ever bolder and tech-packed cars. These offer more practicality than a hatchback and are cheaper than real SUVs, offering the capacity to mount the odd curb here and there, but not much else.
While Nissan, Renault, Opel and PSA have sold tens of thousands of B-segment crossovers (each), Volkswagen has stayed well clear of the segment. This next concept proves the German automaker is reconsidering its position.
Called the T-Roc, the concept presented in Geneva yesterday cuts a youthful, sporty line. Like Audi's crossover concept of last year, this comes with a two-door body and a removable targa roof for extra wind in your face and sky on your scalp. No production crossover from Volkswagen is ever likely to come with such a feature, but at least it shows the Germans are thinking about what younger customers want for a change.
As far as underpinnings are concerned, the T-Roc's are rock sold. Underneath the blue body is the MQB. Modular flexible, it's been shortened and lifted to create this rugged and compact look. Transversally mounted under the bonnet is a 2-liter TDI engine, the same one you'd find the the Golf GTD and Audi A3. It makes 184 PS and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque, delivered to the road via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, again just like the Golf. A 4Motion all-wheel drive system based on Haldex coupling sends power to where it's needed.
It's not yet clear if all-wheel drive would be fitted on the production, but since most crossovers are bought without it that's not really important. If Volkswagen is to put this bad boy into production, it would have access to one of the biggest ranges of turbo diesel and petrol engines around, with displacement anywhere between 1 and 2 liters and outputs going as high as maybe 300 hp. Plug-ins and hybrids are also possible.
Dreaming of a Vdub softroader is one thing, but the concept staring us in the face demands we wake up and analyzed. From the front, it looks like a Golf 7 has been crossed with the Juke. The lines are sharp, but the heardlines and grille form a brow over the circular clusters in the lower bumper. It's a very "butch" face, typical for most cars that want to prove they can be something they're not.
Should the T-Roc be built? We leave that decision up to you. But consider this: based on the same platform as the Golf and fitted with more kit, it's unlikely to cost a penny under €17,000, especially since the really small and cheap Golf engines don't match this thing's personality. Word on the street in Wolfsburg is they want to build it, but it will take at least two more years to do so.
Called the T-Roc, the concept presented in Geneva yesterday cuts a youthful, sporty line. Like Audi's crossover concept of last year, this comes with a two-door body and a removable targa roof for extra wind in your face and sky on your scalp. No production crossover from Volkswagen is ever likely to come with such a feature, but at least it shows the Germans are thinking about what younger customers want for a change.
As far as underpinnings are concerned, the T-Roc's are rock sold. Underneath the blue body is the MQB. Modular flexible, it's been shortened and lifted to create this rugged and compact look. Transversally mounted under the bonnet is a 2-liter TDI engine, the same one you'd find the the Golf GTD and Audi A3. It makes 184 PS and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque, delivered to the road via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, again just like the Golf. A 4Motion all-wheel drive system based on Haldex coupling sends power to where it's needed.
It's not yet clear if all-wheel drive would be fitted on the production, but since most crossovers are bought without it that's not really important. If Volkswagen is to put this bad boy into production, it would have access to one of the biggest ranges of turbo diesel and petrol engines around, with displacement anywhere between 1 and 2 liters and outputs going as high as maybe 300 hp. Plug-ins and hybrids are also possible.
Dreaming of a Vdub softroader is one thing, but the concept staring us in the face demands we wake up and analyzed. From the front, it looks like a Golf 7 has been crossed with the Juke. The lines are sharp, but the heardlines and grille form a brow over the circular clusters in the lower bumper. It's a very "butch" face, typical for most cars that want to prove they can be something they're not.
Should the T-Roc be built? We leave that decision up to you. But consider this: based on the same platform as the Golf and fitted with more kit, it's unlikely to cost a penny under €17,000, especially since the really small and cheap Golf engines don't match this thing's personality. Word on the street in Wolfsburg is they want to build it, but it will take at least two more years to do so.
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