Earlier this year, Volkswagen surprised everyone with the announcement that it would build a T-Roc Convertible.

Even some of the automaker’s execs acknowledged that there isn’t a big market for such a vehicle. Yet the drop-top T-Roc project goes ahead.

Here it is as a development prototype snapped for the first time on public roads by our spy photographers. Arriving in 2020, the Volkswagen T-Roc Convertible will be a two-door four-seater cabriolet that will add to the regular T-Roc and the R-branded performance model.

At the front, the third member of the T-Roc family will adopt a similar styling to the standard model, but the profile and rear are significantly different. One can’t help but notice the familiar roofline that reminds of the previous-generation Golf Cabriolet.

In a way, the T-Roc Cabriolet can be considered its successor. That’s because the Golf won’t offer a convertible version for the foreseeable future.

The fabric soft top isn’t the only difference compared to the normal T-Roc SUV. The frameless doors are longer to allow an easier access to the back seats, although we’re not sure how roomy they will be for adult passengers. Also, the rear end features a boot lid that opens to accommodate the top.

Expect the T-Roc Cabriolet to offer a similar range of turbocharged gasoline and (possibly) diesel engines as the five-door SUV. The model will be built from the second half of 2020 at the Osnabruck plant in Germany. The factory previously manufactured the VW Golf Cabriolet and currently makes the VW Tiguan.

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Photo credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien and CarPix for CarScoops