The VW T-Roc Cabriolet has always been a bit of an oddity within the Volkswagen family so it comes as no surprise that it will not be replaced when the next-generation model launches, according to a new report.
The German automaker has been selling the current-generation T-Roc as a convertible soft top since 2020 and from January to November last year, managed to sell 11,693 examples. While that made it Europe’s second best-selling open-top model after the Mini convertible, total T-Roc sales eclipsed 191,000 during the same 11 months, meaning it only represented a small fraction of total sales.
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Underpinning the next-generation T-Roc will be the firm’s MQB Evo platform also used by the facelifted VW Golf as well as the Passat and Tiguan. While limited details about the new-age T-Roc are known, VW chief executive Thomas Schäfer confirmed last year that it will be the brand’s final new combustion model to be introduced. VW brand development boss Kai Grunitz echoed Schäfer’s statement while speaking with Auto News at CES in Las Vegas.
VW has not yet divulged details about the powertrains that will be offered with the next-generation T-Roc but a plug-in hybrid unit seems likely. Additionally, it could rock a trick adaptive suspension system and is tipped to feature a thoroughly updated interior that could ditch some of the current model’s physical controls.
It is also unclear if the flagship T-Roc R will survive into the vehicle’s second generation. The current T-Roc R has the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the Mk 7.5 Golf R with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). If VW is to continue building the T-Roc R, it would make sense for it to switch to the powertrain of the Mk8 Golf R or the facelifted Mk8.5 model.
