Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet (UK-Spec)
Building on more than 70 years of Volkswagen cabriolet heritage, the T-Roc Cabriolet joins the range as the latest open-top offering in a long line of celebrated Volkswagen convertibles. The T-Roc Cabriolet pioneers a new segment for the Volkswagen brand; pairing the rugged appeal of an SUV with the feel-good factor of a drop-top’s wind-in-the-hair driving experience. The car also further diversifies Volkswagen’s SUV offering, joining both standard and R models in the successful T-Roc family, which itself sits amid Volkswagen’s now six-strong line-up of SUVs.
First introduced as the T-Cross Breeze Concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, and confirmed for production as the T-Roc Cabriolet in early 2018, this 2+2 seater cabriolet picks up where the successful Beetle Cabriolet and Golf Cabriolet models left off. A fast electrohydraulic roof mechanism lowers the roof in just nine seconds and closes it in 11 seconds.
The T-Roc Cabriolet line-up is simple – the model is offered in the UK in Design and R-Line trims. The Design trim can be had with 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre TSI engines providing 115 PS and 150 PS respectively, while the R-Line is only available with the 1.5-litre engine. Both engines are available with 6-speed manual gearboxes, while the larger engine adds the option of a 7-speed DSG unit. A diverse colour palette, broad range of alloy wheel designs and further aesthetic, comfort and other options allow customers to create a car with a very considerable level of personalisation and individuality.
2020 Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet (UK-Spec)
Like the rest of the T-Roc range, this SUV-cabriolet is based on the MQB platform, which provides the car with impressive composure and handling among many other talents. The wheelbase of the T-Roc Cabriolet has been extended by around 40 mm, allowing more room inside, and a practical 284 litres of boot space. In addition to the model’s fun factor and practicality is the latest connectivity technology; the third generation of Volkswagen’s Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3) which boasts higher levels of processing power than before and brings an eSIM which, if desired, allows the car to be permanently online to offer the full benefits of Volkswagen We services. MIB3 also offers the added benefit of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connection for compatible devices.
Trim levels and equipment
The T-Roc Cabriolet is offered in two distinctive and generously-equipped trim levels: Design and R-Line. Personalisation-focused Design trim is the entry-level specification, while the sportier R-Line is placed above this.
Design trim focuses on style and customisation for a highly personalised model. The full, eight-colour palette is available, while there are four different alloy wheel designs to choose from: standard-fit 17-inch ‘Mayfield’ wheels, or optional 18-inch ‘Sebring’, ‘Montego Bay’, or ‘Arlo Black’ designs. Black-grained wheel arches and door protectors add to the SUV’s rugged appeal, while on the inside the standard ‘Silver Silk’ dash panels can be replaced with vibrant, ‘Ravenna Blue’ or ‘Turmeric Yellow’ alternatives. An 8.0-inch Discover Navigation system is fitted, bringing the numerous benefits of its MIB3 platform, including wireless connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Design trim also brings several driver assistance systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control, city emergency braking, Predictive Pedestrian Protection, a Driver Alert System with fatigue detection, front and rear parking sensors and Lane Assist.
Range-topping R-Line trim builds on the package offered by the Design trim but focuses on sporting appeal, with 19-inch ‘Suzuka’ wheels fitted as standard, and 19-inch ‘San Marino’ wheels available optionally. The T-Roc Cabriolet R-Line also gets progressive steering, a sports suspension system lowered by 20 mm over the standard car, and an R-Line styling pack incorporating bespoke front and rear bumpers, black wheel arch extensions and body-coloured side skirts. The front lights are LED units as standard, while fog lights are also fitted, and the rear lights are darkened for a distinctive and sporting look. Inside, the R-Line logo features on the bespoke steering wheel and is also embroidered into the ‘Carbon Flag’ cloth sports seats. R-Line specification also benefits from the standard fitment of Volkswagen’s acclaimed Active Info Display with 10.25-inch screen replacing the conventional dashboard dials.
Engine, transmission and running gear
The T-Roc Cabriolet is offered with two efficient petrol engines also featured in the regular T-Roc range: first is the 1.0 TSI 115 PS – available only with a 6-speed manual gearbox, and reserved exclusively for the Design trim. This 999 cc unit produces its 115 PS power peak between 5,000 and 5,500 rpm, and its maximum 200 Nm torque between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. Fuel consumption on the combined WLTP cycle is 44.9 mpg, and it emits 142 g/km of CO2 on the WLTP cycle. With this engine and gearbox, the T-Roc Cabriolet completes the 0 to 62 mph sprint in 11.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 116 mph.
Also available is the 1.5 TSI EVO 150 PS engine, with 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG transmissions offered. This 1,498 cc engine is available on the Design trim model, and is the sole engine option for the T-Roc Cabriolet R-Line. This powertrain’s Active Cylinder Technology (automatic deactivation of two cylinders under certain load conditions) helps it to achieve impressive fuel economy of 44.0 mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 146 g/km (WLTP) in 6-speed manual form, or 41.7 mpg and 154 g/km for DSG-equipped cars. Both versions produce their 150 PS power peak at 5,000-6,000 rpm, and torque reserves of 250 Nm between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm. Both reach 62 mph from a standstill in 9.6 seconds, and have top speeds of 127 mph.
The T-Roc Cabriolet is available exclusively with front-wheel drive, and shares the same suspension setup as the standard T-Roc models: coil springs with telescopic shock absorbers at the front, with all suspension elements integrated in the chassis legs. At the rear, the suspension comprises gas pressure shock absorbers and separate springs. For R-Line models, sports suspension is fitted, lowering the model by 20 mm for a lower centre of gravity and sportier driving dynamics.
For further details on the 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG gearboxes available on the T-Roc Cabriolet, as well as the model’s running gear, please see the T-Roc Engines, gearboxes and running gear section earlier in this press pack.
Design
The Cabriolet’s identifying feature is, of course, its fabric folding roof. Available only in sleek black fabric with three layers – headliner, cushioned mat and outer cover – the soft top weighs 53.1 kg in total and its structure incorporates four cross braces and a larger front cross strut. Fabric holding rails connect the covers to the cross struts, preventing ballooning at higher speeds, improving aerodynamics and reducing noise levels in the interior. The seams of the outer fabric sections are designed to function as additional drip rails.
The cloth roof can be lowered in nine seconds, and raised in eleven seconds, folding into a Z-shaped package behind the rear seats. When the roof is down, there is no roof compartment lid – its solid front cross strut serves as its cover – contributing to a cleaner and sleeker design. This also means that the 284-litre boot space is available regardless of whether the roof is open or closed. From the side, the T-Roc Cabriolet appears a little longer than its hard-top stablemates, this is due to a 40 mm extension to the wheelbase over the standard model to allow a generous interior with seating for four people.
The T-Roc Cabriolet also plays host to six individual alloy wheel designs. The 17-inch ‘Mayfield’ wheel is standard on Design cars, with 18-inch ‘Montego Bay’, ‘Sebring’ and ‘Arlo Black’ wheels also adding to the level of personalisation on offer. The attractive ‘Suzuka’ 19-inch wheels of the R-Line can be optionally upgraded to ‘San Marino’ wheels of the same size, which are exclusive to the T-Roc Cabriolet.
The T-Roc Cabriolet shares much of its look with the fixed-head five-door T-Roc, meaning the car’s expressive design is maintained. At the front, a wide grille integrates into the characteristically flat, dual headlights, while the separate indicators and daytime running lights distinguish the Design and R-Line cars from one another.
Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen Head of Design, described it as: “A highly expressive, almost cheeky design. It is this emotional component that makes it so appealing.” The roof and two-door body style accentuates the already rakish roof-line of the T-Roc for the Cabriolet. A chrome strip underscores the window line of the soft-top model, while the car’s bold styling and wind-in-the-hair driving experience make it a signifier of vitality and driving fun.
At the rear, a lip spoiler complements the simple yet sporty styling and also incorporates the third brake light. The boot lid of the Cabriolet opens with a saloon-like mechanism, in lieu of the fixed-head T-Roc’s traditional hatch tailgate. A wind deflector, which sits behind the rear seats and in front of the stowed roof, can also be specified, as can a Black styling pack which adds black-finished trim to the exterior of the car, including on the grille, mouldings, door mirror caps and lip spoiler. On Design trim cars, this pack also adds the ‘Arlo Black’ alloy wheels at no additional cost.
Inside the car, coloured dashpad packs in ‘Ravenna Blue’ or ‘Turmeric Yellow’ can be specified at no extra cost to provide additional interior flair, while quilted ‘Vienna’ leather seats are another feature introduced first on the T-Roc Cabriolet. The dashboard can be tailored further with the 10.25-inch Active Info Display – available on the Design model and standard on R-Line cars.
The T-Roc Cabriolet’s structure has been designed to offer optimal safety, with a rollover system fitted behind the rear seats. Two thick panels extend behind the headrests if the car detects transverse acceleration or a tilt angle above a certain parameter. In addition to these, the car’s windscreen frame and A-pillars are bolstered with reinforcement tubes, while reinforcements that are specific to the T-Roc Cabriolet are also integrated in the floor.
Market information
- Design trim is expected to be the more popular of the equipment lines while the 1.0 TSI 115 PS engine and 6-speed manual gearbox will be the most popular engine configuration
- The 1.0 TSI 115 6-speed manual in Design trim will represent around 40% of T-Roc Cabriolet sales in the UK Within the wider T-Roc family, the Cabriolet should account for roughly 7% of total T-Roc sales in the UK. Last year 21,803 T-Rocs found a home in the UK
- Orders opened at the end of January for the Cabriolet, and the first vehicles arrived with retailers in March
Technical data
|
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1.0 TSI 115 PS 6-spd man |
1.5 TSI 150 PS 6-spd man (DSG) |
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Engine layout |
Transverse 1.0-litre three cylinder in-line direct injection turbo. Four valves per cylinder |
Transverse 1.5-litre four cylinder in-line direct injection turbo. Four valves per cylinder |
|
Engine capacity |
999 cc |
1,498 cc |
|
Max power, at rpm |
115 PS @ 5,000 – 5,500 |
150 PS @ 5,000 – 6,000 |
|
Max torque, at rpm |
200 Nm @ 2,000 – 3,500 |
250 Nm @ 1,500 – 3,500 |
|
Maximum speed |
116 mph |
127 mph |
|
Acceleration (0-62 mph) |
11.7 sec |
9.6 sec |
|
Fuel economy, (WLTP): Low Medium High Extra high Combined |
37.0 mpg |
33.8 (31.3) mpg |
|
46.9 mpg |
43.9 (42.2) mpg |
|
|
51.9 mpg |
48.7 (47.3) mpg |
|
|
42.3 mpg |
40.3 (38.9) mpg |
|
|
44.9 mpg |
42.2 (40.5) mpg |
|
|
CO2 emissions (WLTP) |
142 g/km |
152 (159) g/km |
|
Height |
1,522 mm |
1,522 mm |
|
Width (exc. door mirrors) |
1,811 mm |
1,811 mm |
|
Length |
4,268 mm |
4,268 mm |
|
Wheelbase |
2,630 mm |
2,630 mm |
|
Kerb weight |
1,487 kg |
1,524 kg (1,540 kg) |
|
Boot volume |
284 litres |
284 litres |
|
Fuel tank volume |
50 litres |
50 litres |
