VW
T-Roc Compact SUV
Volkswagen
is rejiggering its lineup of passenger vehicles, and focusing on rebuilding a
completely refreshed lineup of mainstream cars and SUV models, with all except
for Touareg and Phaeton built on VW’s flexible MQB platform.
After
some of those "core pillars" of the lineup are set, the brand intends
to thoroughly refresh its small-vehicle lineup, with a series of small
crossover utility vehicles.
Following
the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, which was first shown in short-wheelbase form, 15
months or more ahead of U.S. deliveries for the long-wheelbase, Mexican-built
version, Volkswagen is expected to focus on the T-Roc, a model that will build
on the design of the T-Roc Concept from the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and have a
footprint about the size of the Golf.
The production T-Roc, is expected make an auto-show debut later in
2016, to go on sale internationally in 2017 (perhaps later for the U.S.), and
to share much with the upcoming Audi Q1. The production model would face off
with the Nissan Juke, Honda HR-V, and MINI Countryman.
Dr.
Heinz-Jakob Neusser, the head of powertrain development for Volkswagen AG, said
this past week at a media roundtable that the movement of Tiguan upward in size
will allow space in the lineup for the T-Roc, as well as a smaller T-Cross
model that would occupy a so-called “A-zero” segment.
