VW reveals T-ROC before Geneva motor show

The Volkswagen T-ROC concept will debut at the Geneva motor show next week. The chunky, raised-up crossover is based on the increasingly prevalent MQB architecture, which also underpins the Golf.

VW says the T-Roc slots in below its current SUVs and it’ll even be smaller than the forthcoming Taigun. In fact, the T in T-ROC is a nod to the rest of the company’s off-road vehicles like the Tiguan and the Touareg.

The T-ROC uses a 2.0-liter diesel engine for power, which makes 181 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox sends power through VW’s 4Motion system to all four wheels. Three different operating modes are offered: street, off-road and snow. Each changes the parameters of the throttle, transmission and four-wheel drive system.

The T-ROC measures 164.5 inches long, 72 inches wide and 59.1 inches tall. That makes it smaller than the Golf in length and width, and just a bit taller overall.

VW says its design team, lead by Walter de Silva and Klaus Bischoff, has advanced the brand’s DNA while still preserving VW’s history. We’re not entirely sure what that means, but the T-Roc gets a grille designed with large honeycomb-shaped openings surrounded by high-gloss black trim. The bottom is framed with an aluminum bar that houses LED daytime running lights and LED turn signals at the ends.

From the side, we see a contrasting black roof, a coupe-like roofline and an aluminum strip that runs into the C pillars. In the back, we can better visualize the width of the car’s body, as well as seeing the angular taillights, LEDs and dual exhaust.

Inside the T-ROC, Volkswagen uses rugged, nonslip surfaces, a tablet for a touchscreen and four leather seats that fade from blue to anthracite. The instrument panel is all digital, and displays driving mode, speed and other information.

The user infotainment screen is configurable, removable and reacts to finger gestures. In off-road mode, it displays the view of the front and rear cameras.

We’ll get to see the VW T-ROC in person at the Geneva motor show next week.

By Jake Lingeman