The Volkswagen SUV concept the T-ROC is set to make its world premiere at the Geneva Auto Show. This little SUV is good for both on and off-road driving, with a design aesthetic that conveys a new and distinctive era in VW compact SUVs.
The T-ROC gets a 2.0 TDI turbo diesel engine, producing 181 hp and 280 lb/ft of torque. This is the same engine that’s in the Golf GTD. Power goes to all four wheels via the 7-speed DSG transmission. A sprint to 60mph comes in 6.9 seconds.
The T-ROC can be driven in three different modes: street, offroad, and snow. Street puts power to the front wheels, unless it detects any wheel slip. Only then will it direct power to the rear wheels. Offroad distributes the power 50/50 to the front and rear, and utilizes hill start assist and hill descent assist. Additionally, mapping for the throttle, transmission, and brakes are all optimized for dirt driving. Snow mode also gives you a 50/50 power distribution, but keeps the engine and transmission mapped to deal with the limited traction available while driving on snow.
The front end features a large, honeycombed grill with a skid plate below. LED headlamps light the way, with two round headlights below. But these lower headlights are a little special. Inside is a strip of three LEDs that function as fog lights. Above this strip is another LED that acts as a moveable spotlight. Under this strip is a moveable camera. When in offroad mode, these two features work together as the steering wheel is turned, transmitting an image of whatever may lay ahead to the center console display.
The blacked out C-pillar and roof spoiler give the rear of the T-ROC a futuristic look. Like the front, the rear features two LED fog lights that also have moving spotlights and cameras. These images also are displayed on the large display inside the cabin. Finishing out the backside are the two aluminum exhaust pipes, integrated into the bumper.
The roof consists of two sections that can easily be removed and stored in the trunk.
The T-ROC is 13′ 8.5″ long, 6′ wide, and 4’11” tall. A wheelbase of 8’6″ means relatively short front are rear overhangs. The T-ROC weighs 3130 lbs.
Inside the T-ROC has features designed to be rugged and hardy. Non slip surfaces abound, but one of the most exciting details is the 12.3″ color touch screen display. This display also functions as a portable tablet, set securely into the dash. Additionally, there is an HD camera in the rear-view mirror that can take video of inside or outside of the cabin.
Whether or not the T-ROC will ever be produced, let alone make it to the States remains to be seen. The initial tech specs and features look pretty good, and we hope this little SUV actually goes into production.
Check out this fun and informative TFLcar off-road video review of the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg TDI.
Emme is a driver, reviewer, and rabble rouser. She is the principle driver and trophy winner for the Mega Monkey Motorsports™ 2 seat 1600 desert racer, powered by an air-cooled VW engine and has also been on the podium in a stock bug, a trophy bug, and an ultra-4. She is one of only 13 American women to have participated in the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, a 9 day all female off road rally in Morocco with no GPS. You can check her out online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and either one of her blogs.
