By Otsile Kadiege

Volkswagen South Africa has announced the local availability as well as the specifications and powertrains of the recently updated T-Roc. The updated T-Roc, is positioned between the Taigo and the Tiguan in the Volkswagen T SUV model range and features a fresh exterior design, optimised interior with high-quality materials and a soft touch dash surface. The T-Roc will only be sold with two TSI engines.

Exterior design updates

The updated T-Roc has a sharper exterior design thanks to pronounced body lines. The range now comes standard with LED headlights and darkened taillights. Optional IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, which are available in the Touareg, Tiguan, Golf, Taigo and Polo, are available as an optional feature. Consumers can choose between five new exterior paint colours (which can be combined with a white, black or Indium grey roof) and newly designed 17 and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Interior design and technology updates

Inside, the updated T-Roc is said to have a soft touch dash surface with distinctive seams. New to the updated T-Roc is a tablet-like 8.0-inch touch display with the optional Discover Media system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As standard, the refreshed T-Roc features a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster in the Design equipment line and the Digital Cockpit Pro in the R-Line equipment line. The multi-function steering wheel, which is also part of the standard package, has a new design.

In the Design and R-Line equipment lines, door trim and arm rests are made of leather and boast designer seams. In the Design, ArtVelour seats come as standard, while Vienna leather seats are available as optional feature. In conjunction with the R-Line, top-end sports seats for driver and front passenger as well as Nappa leather upholstery come as standard.

Driver assistance systems

The new Volkswagen T-Roc is available with Front Assist and Lane Assist advanced assist systems as optional features (standard in the R-Line). The new IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control enable assisted steering, braking and acceleration at speeds of up to 210 km/h.

Updated T-Roc grades

The new T-Roc range will be offered in two equipment lines, namely the Design and range-topping R-Line. Here are a few noteworthy standard features on the new Design grade: LED headlights and taillights, a leather-wrapped multi-functional steering wheel, multi-colour Digital Cockpit, 2-zone climatronic air-conditioner, Comfort Package with keyless entry, Composition Media Radio, 17-inch Johannesburg alloy wheels, Park Assist with Park Distance Control and silver anodised roof rails.

Optional features include the tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof, Black Style Exterior Package with 18-inch Grange Hill black alloy wheels, IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, 18-inch Grange Hill and Portimao alloy wheels, 8.0-inch Discover Media (with navigation system, Wireless App-Connect and mobile smartphone inductive charging), Beats sound system, Rear view camera, IQ.Drive Package (Travel Assist, Lane Change Assist, Lane Keeping system, Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist) to list a few.

Standard features in the range-topping grade R-Line grade are Sports Comfort Package (Sports suspension, progressive steering, keyless entry, towing protection and high-beam control Light Assist), Nappa leather seats, Driver Assistance System with Lane keeping system and lane change assist, 19-inch Misano alloy wheels, Digital Cockpit Pro, IQ.Drive Package for R-Line (Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with speed limiter and Proactive passenger protection system for Front Assist and side assist) and a Lava Stone dashboard, centre console and front door trim panels inserts.

The T-Roc R-Line can be further customised with the tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof, Black Style Exterior Package with 19-inch Misano black alloy wheels, IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, 8.0-inch Discover Media (with navigation system, Wireless App-Connect and mobile smartphone inductive charging), Beats sound system, Rear view camera and exterior mirror housings painted in contrast colour.

TSI powertrains

Powering the refreshed T-Roc is two TSI engines. The entry-level engine in the range is the 4-cylinder 1.4 TSI with maximum output of 110kW and 250 Nm. It is coupled with an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission, with the top speed being 205km/h. Fuel consumption is at a claimed 6.3 l/100km. The T-Roc range is rounded off with the 2.0-litre TSI engine with 140 kW and 320Nm. As standard, the engine is equipped with the automaker’s 4Motion AWD system. It’s coupled with a 7-speed DSG transmission. The top speed is 216 km/h Volkswagen claims a fuel consumption of 7.3 l/100km.

Availability and warranty

According to Volkswagen SA the updated T-Roc pricing will be announced closer to the local launch which is said to take place at the end of July. The Volkswagen T-Roc comes standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty, 5 year/ 90 000km EasyDrive Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km.