VW hints at new compact SUV 28 | 02 | 2014
VOLKSWAGEN WILL PREVIEW its plans for a forthcoming new compact SUV — due later this decade — by unveiling the T-Roc concept in Geneva next week (see more official sketches of the VW T-Roc compact SUV).
This original design sketch gives an insight into part of the five-strong future SUV line-up being planned at the company’s Wolfsburg-based headquarters in Germany.
Sharing its underpinnings with the new Audi Q1, VW's new compact SUV will also go head-to-head with the likes of the market-leading Nissan Juke, plus the Vauxhall Mokka and Renault Captur.
The new sketch previews the latest evolution of its SUV styling, including a newly-designed grille which is planned to give the new raft of VW SUVs a more dynamic appearance. The new models will also include integrated headlamps, plus the round LED headlamps.
Interestingly, the new drawings also highlight a a removable roof panel that can be stowed in the boot.
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The T-Roc is also noticeably smaller al-round than the current Tiguan: the concept is 4179mm long, 1831mm wide and 1501mm tall, making it 246mm shorter, 23mm wider and a 199mm lower than the Tiguan. At 1420kg, it's also on course to be 25kg lighter than the current entry-level Nissan Juke.
Capable of sitting on whoppingly impressive 19in alloys, the T-Roc utilises VW's latest evolution of its 181bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder common rail diesel engine.
According to VW, its calculations indicate a 0-62mph time of 6.9sec and a 131mph top speed. The maximum would be achieved in what VW calls, 'street mode', in which the T-Roc’s four-wheel drive system is automatically configured to channel the majority of drive to the front wheels. Take the SUV off-road, or flick it into 'Snow' mode, and traction is switched to a nominal 50:50 front-to-rear split for added traction.
A six-speed dual clutch gearbox — with remote steering wheel mounted shift paddles — has been fitted to the concept, mated to an electro-mechanical multi-plate clutch four-wheel drive system offering three different drive modes: street, off-road and snow.
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Jim McGill