Volkswagen T-ROC concept debuts at Geneva Motor show

As promised, Volkswagen brought the pint-sized T-ROC concept to the Geneva Motor Show this week. Intended to be positioned below the Taigun compact SUV (not to be confused with the Tiguan) the T-ROC sits on the Golf platform known internally as MQB. But the T-ROC is actually shorter than the Golf, at 164.5 inches in length, owing to short overhangs.

Powered by a 2.0-liter diesel engine producing 181-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, the T-ROC features a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox which channels powered to all four heels, courtesy of Volkswagens 4Motion all-wheel drive system. Three driving modes are available in the T-ROC, including Street, Offroad, and Snow. Volkswagen has indicated that the production version, which seems more and more likely, could be powered by any powertrain in the Golf lineup, and that includes hybrid units.

The concept itself includes a few elements that probably won't see production, including removable roof panels that store in the trunk, but other details such as a removable tablet doubling as an infotainment display and all-digital instrumentation seem to be just over the horizon when it comes to production vehicles.

The concept car itself greeted us with sleek, shiny surfaces and an uncluttered cabin that seemed to be larger than the rakish roofline permits. We liked the presence of the body-colored panels in the interior, especially on the dash and steering wheel spokes. The angular lines inside the cabin seemed to be an extension of the exterior design language, though the exterior bodywork permitted a few flowing lines, such as those found on the rear wheel arches.

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Overall, the concept is shorter than the Golf.

We didn't think there was room below the Taigun in Volkswagen's lineup, but together the Taigun and the T-ROC concept appear to be aimed at the Mercedes-Benz GLA-class compact softroader, which has already won the race to production. In a way, it is quite surprising that Volkswagen has only now sought to take advantage of this platform in creating a Golf softroader concept, but then again the company has been very conservative when it comes to entering new segments. Though with the debut of the Audi Allroad Shooting Brake concept (based on the same MQB platform) at this year's Detroit Auto Show, it is obvious that Volkswagen Automotive Group is taking this still-emerging segment seriously.

No word yet on when or if we'll see an updated version of this concept that is closer to production form, but with so many elements already in place it can't be long before Volkswagen decides whether to make further use of the Golf platform.

By Jay Ramey