India-probable Volkswagen T-ROC SUV spotted testing in Tiguan body

The Volkswagen T-ROC SUV was showcased in concept guise at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The three door concept looked too outlandish for production though, just as most concepts do. Volkswagen has begun testing the T-ROC SUV in Europe. However, the T-ROC wears Tiguan clothes,reflecting  a growing trend across automakers who test new cars under the bodyshells of older cars to elude spy photographers. The T-ROC SUV’s production version is expected to hit roads in Europe during 2017, with an official reveal in 2016.

The T-ROC is based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform and will sit under the Tiguan in terms of price and positioning. The spyshots confirm this, what with the test mule with the Tiguan bodyshell revealing a shorter length and smaller track than the actual Tiguan SUV. The smaller dimensions of the T-ROC also mean that the 2 liter TDI turbo diesel engine that the T-ROC concept featured could make way for a smaller motor. Expect the SUV to feature other trademark Volkswagen features such as a DSG dual clutch automatic gearbox and a 4MOTION all wheel drive system.

With a length of 4,179 mm, the T-ROC SUV seems set to take on the likes of the Renault Duster and the Nissan Juke crossovers. Volkswagen India has plans of launching a compact SUV that will sit above the Polo hatchback and compete with the EcoSport and Duster brigade. The T-ROC could be an option under Volkswagen India’s consideration as the SUV is based on the MQB platform. The next generation version of the Polo will go  MQB, which also means that India will hop on to the MQB platform in a big way.

Therefore, the T-ROC’s production version could make sense for the Indian car market, especially if the SUV is built as a Renault Duster rival.

Via Autocar