Little choice
The open T-Roc is only available as a petrol engine and there is initially only two variants.
(Photo: vw)
Wolfsburg The Golf Cabrio has a long history and the open Beetle is also no longer produced. But different from the main competitors VW do not acidify his customers inside, but now put them back in the fresh air. Because while brands like Opel, ford or Peugeot have left the open-air scene, the Lower Saxony are now reporting back under the open sky with a new compact convertible.
And as if that wasn’t brave enough, they also change the genre and cut an SUV: Just in time for the start of the season, they start delivering the T-Roc Cabrio at prices starting at € 27,495. For a surcharge of around 4,000 euros, you can replace the tin roof with a tight fabric hood that folds electrically behind the rear seats in less than ten seconds.
But that’s not the only difference. On the way to the sun, the T-Roc becomes a two-door car, in the rear you move so close that there is only enough space for two seats, and the once large and variable trunk shrinks from 445 to 280 liters.
But there is quite so VW the practical virtues don’t. Because, firstly, the remaining two guests can get into the rear without major contortions and sit surprisingly comfortably, secondly, the back seat can still be folded down and the T-Roc swallows a surfboard or a couple of water skis, and thirdly, the T-Roc is one the few convertibles with the option of a trailer hitch. Not that someone would actually tow a caravan, boat or horse with it – but at least you can still take your bicycles with you.
And the convertible turns out to be surprisingly suitable for everyday use: not only that the roof’s insulation is so good that you don’t have to worry about wind and weather if spring is a bit late, and it’s not just nice and cozy under the hood, but also nice and quiet. For a convertible, the T-Roc also offers a surprisingly good overview. Even without a beeper and reversing camera, you can get through the city without dents even with the roof closed.
No parking aid
Even without a beeper and reversing camera, you can get through the city without dents even with the roof closed.
(Photo: vw)
Opened quickly
The electric fabric roof opens within ten seconds.
(Photo: vw)
As unusual as the cut of this convertible is, so is the driving experience. Because the few centimeters more ground clearance together with the comparatively high parapet actually change the feeling: Where you feel open and revealing in other open-air models like in a bikini on the beach, the swimsuit in the T-Roc is high-necked and you think you are entrenched behind the high ramparts of his beach castle.
At the same time, however, you can enjoy a better overview, stand a little above the things and think you are ready for all adventures – even if VW does not currently offer the open T-Roc with all-wheel drive and it only becomes conventional due to the greater free space under the floor panel Convertibles make a difference.
Nevertheless, there is a fresh wind. Especially when all four side windows are lowered at the push of a button. The open-top T-Roc is only available as a petrol engine, and there is initially only two variants: let’s start with the 1.0 liter three-cylinder with 85 kW / 115 hp and the end is with the 1.5 liter four-cylinder with 110 kW / 150 hp, which nevertheless manages 205 km / h and thus already whirls up the hairstyle.
If VW is already embarking on this adventure with an open exit, then the R GmbH will still come on board and will not miss the opportunity to build its 300 PS engine in the convertible – at the latest then there will no longer be just a fresh breeze from Wolfsburg , then the T-Roc Cabrio could bring the perfect storm.
Space for four
Up to four people can ride.
(Photo: vw)
Real convertible feeling
The convertible offers a good overview.
(Photo: vw)
Technical specifications
Four-seater, two-door compact convertible SUV, length: 4.27 meters, width: 1.81 meters (width with exterior mirrors: 2.00 meters), height: 1.52 meters, wheelbase: 2.59 meters, trunk volume: 280 liter
1.0 TSI: 1.0 liter turbo petrol engine; 85 kW / 115 hp, maximum torque: 200 Nm at 2,000 – 3,500 rpm, front-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission, 0-100 km / h: not specified Vmax: 187 km / h, standard consumption: 5.4 liters / 100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 123 g / km, emissions standard: Euro 6d-temp, efficiency class: n / a, price: 27,495 euros
1.5 TSI: 1.5 liter turbo petrol engine; 110 kW / 150 PS, maximum torque: 250 Nm at 1,500 – 3,500 rpm, front-wheel drive, six-speed manual transmission (automatic double clutch, 0-100 km / h: not specified, Vmax: 205 km / h (205 km / h) , Standard consumption: 5.5 liters / 100 kilometers (5.6), CO2 emissions: 125 g / km (127), exhaust emissions standard: Euro 6d-temp, efficiency class: not specified, price: 30,075 euros (32,025 euros)