Volkswagen has unveiled a refreshed version of its T-Roc compact SUV featuring a mid-life exterior styling upgrade, a comprehensively revised interior and up-to-date tech features.
Family resemblance
The front end has been given a substantial reworking to bring it more into line with Volkswagen's current design language. The headlights have seen a redesign, as has the grille, and a light-bar runs all the way across the front. Below, the bumper features a dog-bone-shaped graphic with daytime-running lights (DRLs) incorporated into the design.
Revisions to the rear are less noticeable, though the lights and bumper have had some attention. The alloy wheel designs for the updated T-Roc are all new and range from 16 to 19 inches in diameter. As before, two-tone paint is still an option.
Tech aplenty
Inside is arguably where the biggest changes occur. The dashboard is now a soft-touch affair, replacing the hard plastic in the current model and the climate control switchgear has been replaced by digital sliders as in the Golf.
Behind the new multi-function steering wheel sits an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, and while a 6.5-inch infotainment screen may not sound wholly impressive, on higher-spec models that'll be upgraded to an 8.0-inch or 9.2-inch unit. The infotainment system supports real-time traffic sign recognition, voice control, Bluetooth smartphone integration and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Front assist and lane assist systems are as standard with parking assistance available as an option. Optional too is the enhanced suite of driver assistance features in the form of VW's IQ.Drive Travel Assist which, with driver supervision, can control the steering, brakes and throttle on motorways at speeds up to 200km/h.
Hot crossover
As well as more sedate models, the hot, top-of-the-range T-Roc R is also getting revisions. It gets its own front end redesign with a black-highlighted front bumper, vertically-stacked DRLs and a bigger air duct. Sitting on 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, there have been even more substantial changes to the rear with a bigger spoiler, darkened taillight lenses, a reworked bumper with an integrated diffuser and quad tailpipes. Powering it is a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine sending 300hp to all four wheels to give it a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds.
Those who love the R's looks but perhaps not its performance and price-tag can opt for the T-Roc R-Line which gets some of the same sporty styling cues.
Power units
The engine line-up isn't dissimilar to the current range with a turbocharged 109hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit as well as a pair of fours - a 1.5- and 2.0-litre developing 150hp and 190hp respectively. A couple of 2.0-litre turbo diesel options producing 115hp and 150hp are available too.
Front-wheel drive is standard on all models except the T-Roc R which gets VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive system. That system is an option on the 150hp versions of the 2.0-litre diesel.
Pricing
The updated T-Roc is expected to hit Irish roads next spring with prices starting from €31,290 on the road for a 1.0-litre T-Roc in Design spec. With the extra tech taken into consideration, that's a small increase on the outgoing version.