The SUV market is booming.
Analysts recently estimated that the demand for SUVs, and in particular compact models, will double over the next ten years, and only last week Tesla’s Model X SUV smoked a Lamborghini Aventador in a drag race showing how the gap between SUV and sports cars is shrinking.
With this in mind, Volkswagen has taken what it calls the “biggest model offensive in its history” with the release of a compact-class crossover called T-Roc.
Sitting just below the Tiguan, the VW T-Roc is said to be “equally appealing to customers of every age, from young singles to empty nesters” because it stands for a “new emotive Volkswagen style”.
At the world premiere in Italy last night, Dr Herbert Diess, chairman of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management said: “The T-Roc sets a new benchmark in the booming SUV segment. With its functionality, dynamic handling and technology, the T-Roc embodies all good Volkswagen qualities. It marks a milestone in our SUV offensive.”
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VW T-Roc features
The five-seater VW T-Roc comes with front-wheel or all-wheel drive and is the first Volkswagen SUV available in two-tone paintwork with contrasting roof section (including the A-pillars and exterior mirror housings).
The radiator grille is fitted with integrated dual headlights and the car comes with a dark plastic trim, which protects the bodywork around the wheel arches and side sills, as well as the vehicle’s front and rear.
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If all five seats are occupied, luggage space totals 445 litres. The backrests can then be folded, increasing luggage capacity to 1,290 litres.
Inside is the Active Info Display that adds smart features when connected to a phone through Volkswagen Car Net. The base model comes with Front Assist area monitoring, City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Lane Assist. 
Air conditioning, Composition Colour infotainment system, LED tail light cluster, underbody guard (black) and LED lights in the bumper are included as standard. Volkswagen is additionally offering a Security & Service package, which features Emergency Service, Automatic Accident Notification and Roadside Assistance.
VW T-Roc release date and price
The T-Roc will sit around the €20,000/£19,000 mark, depending on the model and specification, and goes on sale across Europe in November.
Volkswagen will be selling the new crossover on the “T-Roc” specification version as standard but will additionally sell two higher lines – “Sport” and “Style”. T-Roc Style has a number of design touches including four choices of colour for the interior’s decorative panels. The T-Roc “Sport” adds sport comfort seats.
Image: Volkswagen
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