Volkswagen brings refreshed T-Roc to SA hot on the heels of baby Taigo​

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It feels like we drove the all-new Taigo compact SUV from Volkswagen only a few sleeps ago. The German premium car manufacturer is now readying its refreshed T-Roc, big brother to the Taigo and more practical T-Cross. It also fits in under the Tiguan in the line-up.

We forgot about the mighty Touareg, you say? Well, only because VW can't get stock for the SA, as confirmed by VWSA boss Steffen Knapp at the Taigo launch - both Tiguan and Touareg are in short supply. Nevertheless, the new and refreshed Volkswagen T-Roc will go on sale in South Africa at the end of July 2022.

Evolution of a species

The combination of a refined look, sporty performance and solid versatility have made the T-Roc a popular compact SUV in the local market. Around 4 490 units have found homes in South Africa since its market introduction in 2020. 

VW says its refreshed exterior defines the unmistakable appearance of the new Volkswagen T-Roc. Innovative technology from higher vehicle classes has now been integrated into the compact SUV model range. The new T-Roc comes standard with LED headlights and taillights.

IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, available in the Touareg, Tiguan, Golf, Taigo and Polo, are available as an optional feature as well as IQ. Drive assistance systems such as Travel Assist.

The interior has also been refined with high-quality materials, a re-designed infotainment display, and the Digital Cockpit as standard.

With a soft-touch dash surface and distinctive seams, the new dash panel brings modern and top-quality design highlights to the interior of the new Volkswagen T-Roc.

An 8-inch infotainment display is designed like a tablet and positioned on the dash panel in line of sight with the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. As mentioned, the new T-Roc comes standard with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster in the Design equipment line and the Digital Cockpit Pro in the R-Line equipment line. The multi-function steering wheel, also part of the standard package, has a new design that contributes to the vehicle's intuitive control. 

Two equipment lines offered

In South Africa, Volkswagen will offer the new T-Roc range in two equipment lines; the Design and top-of-the-range R-Line.

The Design equipment line (available in the 1.4 TSI with 110kW and 2.0 TSI with 140kW) is offered with two-tone paintwork, chrome elements, background interior lighting and convenience seats.

Standard features include LED headlights and taillights, a leather-wrapped multifunctional steering wheel (with paddle shift, multifunctional sensor, Adaptive Cruise Control, High-beam control Light Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Front Assist), multi-colour Digital Cockpit, dual-zone climatronic air-conditioner, Comfort Package with keyless entry, Composition Media Radio, 17-inch Johannesburg alloy wheels, Park Assist with Park Distance Control and silver anodised roof rails.

Optional features include the tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof, Black Style Exterior Package with 18-inch Grange Hill black alloy wheels, IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, 18-inch Grange Hill and Portimao alloy wheels, 8-inch Discover Media (with a navigation system, Wireless App-Connect and mobile smartphone inductive charging), and Beats sound system.

There's also a rear view camera, IQ.Drive Package (Travel Assist, Lane Change Assist, Lane Keeping System, Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist), Vienna leather seats, removable and lockable trailer hitch, black roof rails and Chrome package (rotary light switch, power mirror switch, window regulator switches, vent with chrome frames and vent with black edges).

The T-Roc R-Line's unique character manifests itself in many ways, such as in a striking, sporty bumper design and multi-function sports steering wheel with touch control.

In addition to the standard features in the Design equipment line, the T-Roc R-Line also comes available with a host of standard features like the Sports Comfort Package (Sports suspension, progressive steering, keyless entry, towing protection and high-beam control Light Assist), Nappa leather seats, Driver Assistance System with Lane-Keeping System and lane change assist. There are also 19-inch Misano alloy wheels, Digital Cockpit Pro, IQ.Drive Package for R-Line (Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with speed limiter and Proactive passenger protection system for Front Assist and side assist) and a Lava Stone dashboard, centre console and front door trim panel inserts.

The T-Roc R-Line can be further customised with the tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof, Black Style Exterior Package with 19-inch Misano black alloy wheels, IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, 8-inch Discover Media (with a navigation system, Wireless App-Connect and mobile smartphone inductive charging), Beats sound system, Rear view camera and exterior mirror housings painted in contrast colour. 

A sporting heart under bonnet

The entry-level engine in the range is the four-cylinder 1.4 TSI with a maximum output of 110kW and 250 Nm of torque. It is coupled with an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, with the top speed being 205km/h. Fuel consumption is a claimed 6.3 litres per 100km, and it takes 8.4 seconds to reach 100km/h.

The T-Roc range is rounded off until an R is confirmed for SA, with the 2.0-litre TSI engine with 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque. The 2.0 TSI engine, combined with 4MOTION as standard, is coupled with a seven-speed DSG transmission. The top speed is 216km/h. Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.3 litres per 100km, and it takes 7.2 seconds to reach 100km/h from a standstill.

The vehicle comes standard with a three-year or 120 000km mechanical warranty, a five-year or 90 000km EasyDrive Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km.

Retail pricing of the new Volkswagen T-Roc will be announced closer to the launch date at the end of July.

Source: Wheels24