Volkswagen has unveiled the new T-Roc, with sportier styling and hybrid engines across the range.

Volkswagen says it has made improvements in every area with the new T-Roc. Offering new hybrid drive systems across the range, a brand-new interior including next-generation Infotainment, cockpit and operating systems, more space in the interior and luggage compartment, and cutting-edge assistance systems, the T-Roc is a major step forwards in terms of development.

Positioned between the more compact T-Cross and the larger Tiguan, the T-Roc has become one of the Group’s best-selling models year-on-year. Now in its second generation, the new T-Roc is the third Volkswagen SUV to be based on the latest stage in the evolution of the modular transverse matrix: the MQB evo. This adopts numerous “top-down” systems from the larger Tiguan and Tayron and around 20 per cent of all plastics in the vehicle are made from recycled materials, which is equivalent to a weight of up to 40kg.

In Europe, the new T-Roc is powered by hybrid turbocharged petrol engines across the board, while automatic transmissions take care of gear changes. For the launch, there are two 48V mild hybrid drives (eTSI) with 85 kW (116 PS)2 and 110 kW (150 PS)2. These two electrified engines are coupled to a 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG). They will then be followed by two full hybrid drive systems that have been developed from scratch. The front-wheel drive is common to all four drive variants. As with the previous model, the new T-Roc will again be available with 4MOTION all-wheel drive at a later date – combined with the 2.0-litre TSI, which will also be offered as a mild hybrid (mHEV) in the future.

The redesignd exterior of the new T-Roc now reflects other current Volkswagens, such as the Tayron and ID.7 and the lighting design also plays an essential role in this. The LED headlights at the front are entirely new and in the highest equipment specification, innovative IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights are on board, which – like the LED Plus headlights standard in the higher equipment packages – are linked by a narrow strip of LEDs and the illuminated VW logo.

Inside, the new T-Roc offers higher quality materials, cleaner design and innovative technologies. A novelty in this class is the optional windscreen head-up display for the T-Roc, while features such as the new Digital Cockpit Pro in large rectangular format are available for user-oriented technologies.

At 4,373 mm, the second generation is exactly 122 mm longer than its predecessor; the wheelbase has also increased and spans 2,631 mm (+28 mm) between the alloy wheels. This increase benefits the space available inside the T-Roc. Thanks to longer length, the luggage compartment volume has now increased by 20 litres to 465 litres when loaded up to the height of the rear seat backrests.

Equipment-wise, Volkswagen has combined standard and optional individual features and packages with the four equipment versions. “T-Roc” version (focus on budget & functionality), “Life” (focus on functionality and comfort) as well as the two top-of-the-line versions “Style” (focus on design & technology) and “R-Line” (focus on sportiness). From the “Life” equipment specification and above, all models are available with a bi-colour paint. Details such as adaptive chassis control, a sound system from Harman Kardon and a Black Style package with black exterior details including black alloy wheels will be added to the range of exclusive optional equipment for the T-Roc Style and T-Roc R-Line.

Pre-sales of the compact SUV new T-Roc will start at the end of August in the first European countries; the market launch is scheduled for November.