Oh good, another crossover SUV. But instead of spitting sarcasm and ranting all day, I’ll try to give you a good impression of this new Volksie…
You should know: VW expanded their SUV offering to four main models – Touareg, Tiguan, T-Roc and T-Cross. That is the proper descending order in size and price, although the ZA distributors insist that the slightly elongated Tiguan Allspace is a fifth and separate member of that clan. LOL, nice try.
More info: The various VW soft-roaders didn’t appear in that order but they all shine with the German maker’s sensible features, stylish design and safety kit. Like other recent arrivals, the entire T-Roc range is only available with turbo-petrol engines and automatic gearboxes.
All diesel engines were sent to the naughty step, I think.
What else? There are three models to choose from with a 1.4L front- and two 2.0L 4Motion all-wheel drive variants. This R-Line model is the most expensive at almost 600 thousand while its lesser “Design” sibling offers a 50k saving. Our press unit was specified with White Silver metallic paint and the extremely striking Flash Red roof/mirror contrast colour.
Why you shouldn’t: If I really put my back into it, some of these new Volkswagens have less-than-perfect cabin plastics; plus the door pockets aren’t lined with carpet or rubber. Other than that, I can only caution against the price, dear options, and any over-ambitious adventures on these 19-inch low profile tyres.
VWSA says that this model has a top speed of 216km/h and can sprint to 100km/h in just 7.2 seconds. I would’ve loved to confirm that but unfortunately the 12V / cigar lighter socket in our press car was defective. In a bout of irony, the Amarok we tested after this had four (4) 12V sockets, some of which have permanent power…
Why you should: This T-Roc R-Line is a sophisticated symphony of modern design, fairly comfortable ride (and furniture), contemporary luxury items, as well as a good mix of fuel efficiency and all-out performance. You’ll find a dealer in almost every town and each new model is sold with a 3-year/120,000km warranty and 5-year/90,000km service plan.
FULL SPECLIST
| Engine: | 2L i-4 turbo-petrol |
| Transmission: | 7-speed Automatic, AWD |
| Max. Power: | 140kW |
| Max. Torque: | 320Nm |
| Avg. cons.: | Claimed 8.3 |
| 0-100km/h: | Claimed 7.2 |
| Top Speed: | Claimed 216km/h |
| List Price: | R593,600 |
such good content
A very good read. thanks