Volkswagen T-ROC SUV Concept points to a Nissan Juke competitor

Volkswagen T-ROC SUV Concept (pictured) heading for Geneva

Volkswagen are aiming to expand their lineup of SUVs from the current Tiguan and Touareg to include more options in size and ability to tap in to the growing compact SUV market, and having already previewed the Up!-based Taigun we now get a new VW compact SUV concept aiming to fit in between the Taigun and Tiguan – the Volkswagen T-ROC SUV Concept. Heading for a debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week – and revealed today in a series of design sketches (above) – the T-Roc is a two-door, four-wheel-drive compact SUV with a two-pieced Targa roof.

In terms of styling, the T-Toc gets VW’s idea of and evolution of its, rather bland, SUV styling with a new grill providing a more original front end (which has echoes of the Nissan Juke but can be referenced by the Karmann Ghia), a coupe look and that removable Targa roof.

Underpinning the T-Roc is the same MQB platform that will be used on the Audi Q1 and at 4179mm long is 246mm shorter than the Tiguan – with a wheelbase 10mm shorter – with McPherson strut suspension at the front and multi-link at the back and a set of 19″ alloys.

Powering the T-Roc is the familiar 2.0 litre diesel with 181bhp and 280lb/ft of torque driving all four wheels using VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system through a newly-developed seven-speed DSG ‘box. VW reckons that’s enough for a 0-62mph of 6.9 seconds and 57.6mpg.

The T-Toc will also get selectable driving modes – Street, Offroad and Snow – which will alter the parameters of the engine, gearbox and hill assist system to suit conditions.

Innovative stuff also includes integrated cameras front abd back which project images when driving off-road on to a tablet mounted on the centre console so you can see where the potholes and other nasties lie.

We’ll get to see whether the T-ROC Conept is as individual as the sketches suggest next week when Volkswagen reveal it in Geneva.

And although it’s probably a couple of years away from production, it’s clear the T-TOC is heading that way. In the meantime, tax your brains on what the ‘T’ bit of T-ROC stands for as VW look to add another ‘T’ moniker to its Taigun, Tiguan and Touareg list.

By Cars UK