Volkswagen South Africa has finally announced the composition of the local T-Roc range, almost three years after the Golf-sized crossover was revealed. However, the company says it has not yet nailed down pricing.
The reason? Well, VW SA says “due to the volatility of exchange rates in the last few months”, it will announce T-Roc pricing only in August 2020. That said, Martina Biene, head of the Volkswagen brand in South Africa, shared “indicative pricing” during an online presentation, suggesting the entry-level model would start at around R500 000, with the range topping out at about R600 000 (for the R-Line variant). For the record, the newcomer is scheduled to arrive in dealerships in early November 2020.
Of course, the MQB-based T-Roc will slot into the Wolfsburg-based firm’s burgeoning crossover line-up above the T-Cross but below the Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg. VW says the T-Roc is some 80 mm longer than the T-Cross and 162 mm shorter than the Tiguan. Luggage capacity is a claimed 445 litres.
At launch, the local T-Roc range will include two turbocharged petrol engine options (the T-Roc R is expected to follow later, while the T-Roc Cabriolet is seemingly not on the cards). The familiar 1,4 TSI unit makes 110 kW and 250 N.m, interestingly directed to the front axle via an eight-speed automatic transmission. VW says that’s enough for a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 8,4 seconds, a top speed of 205 km/h and combined fuel consumption of 6,9 L/100 km.
The 2,0 TSI engine, meanwhile, generates 140 kW and 320 N.m, which is fed to all four corners via a seven-speed DSG. This powertrain sees the T-Roc reach 100 km/h from standstill in a claimed 7,2 seconds before topping out at 216 km/h. Fuel consumption, meanwhile, is a claimed 8,3L/100 km.
At the start of November, the range will launch with the T-Roc 1,4 TSI Design and T-Roc 2,0 TSI 4Motion DSG R-Line. The mid-tier 2,0 TSI 4Motion DSG Design derivative, meanwhile, is scheduled to hit the market in January 2021. As you may have noticed, the T-Roc introduces a new naming convention for VW’s trim levels.
The T-Roc will also be the first VW-badged crossover to be available in two-tone guise. From what we understand, the roof and side-mirror caps will be offered in a choice of white, red and black.
Aforementioned Design variants will ship standard with 17-inch Mayfield alloy wheels, with the option of 18-inch Montego items and 18-inch Grange Hill wheels. The flagship R-Line model will ride on 19-inch Suzuka alloys.
The T-Roc will come standard with VW’s “Composition Media” audio system (with an eight-inch touchscreen) and App-Connect. The R-Design range-topper will furthermore boast wireless smartphone charging and can be optionally fitted with the “Discover Media” infotainment arrangement. VW’s active info display (effectively a digital cluster) will likewise be optional on the lower trim level (and standard on R-Line), featuring a 11,7-inch screen.
The 1,4 TSI Design and 2,0 TSI Design derivatives will come standard with VW’s “climatronic” air conditioning system and parking sensors (front and rear). The R-Line model, meanwhile, will gain a front assist function (with city emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring), an automatic post-collision braking system and a lane-keeping system. It will also boast VW’s light assist package, LED daytime running lights in the front bumper, dynamic cornering lights, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control and Vienna leather seats.
A panoramic sunroof, an electronic trailer hitch, a Beats sound system and a parking package will be optional across the range. A three-year/120 000 km warranty and a five-year/90 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km) will be included.
