Volkswagen T-Roc bookings open: India-spec SUV’s specifications out

Volkswagen India has just commenced pre-bookings for the T-Roc, a compact SUV that the German automaker will launch in India during April this year. The T-Roc will rival the likes of the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson, and will be imported into India through the completely built unit (CBU) route. Bookings are now open across all Volkswagen dealers in India, and the booking amount is pegged at Rs. 25,000.

The T-Roc is meant to be a brand builder in the SUV segment for Volkswagen, giving Indians a look and feel of a compact SUV from the German brand. The T-Roc is likely to be priced at around Rs. 20 lakh, and Volkswagen will not be aiming at big volumes for this SUV, which was showcased at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo. Technical specifications for the India-spec T-Roc are now out, and the SUV has already reached Volkswagen’s Indian website.

The T-Roc, like most other new Volkswagen cars bound for the Indian market, will be a petrol-only offering. The 1.5 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged petrol TSI engine will be standard, and offered in 150 PS-340 Nm state of tune. A 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearbox will drive the front wheels of the T-Roc, which is unlikely to get an all wheel drive layout for the Indian market although such an option is available for markets abroad.

As for features, the Volkswagen T-Roc will get full-LED headlamps and tail-lamps, alloy wheels, parking sensors at the front and rear, reverse parking camera, leather seats, a fully digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control for both front and rear passengers, a touchscreen infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic sunroof, 6 airbags, ABS, electronic stability program, traction control and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The SUV will be offered in a single variant.

The compact SUV will feature a high level of fit and finish considering the fact that it’s built for discerning buyers in the European market. 4.2 meters long, the T-Roc is smaller than both the Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Tucson. It’s built on the MQB platform, which it shares with many other Volkswagen and Skoda cars. The same platform will soon be indigenised by Skoda and Volkswagen India, to meet cost targets specifically in emerging markets. The adaptation of the MQB platform for the Indian market will be known as MQB A0, and will form the basis of the India-spec Skoda Vision IN (Kamiq) SUV and the Volkswagen T-Cross.