It might be Volkswagen's smallest SUV, but the designers of its latest version have managed to make it longer and taller, while giving it a more pronounced coupe profile and an impressively low drag factor.
With pressure from competitors such as Kia, Hyundai and Peugeot in terms of smart interiors the new T-Roc benefits from an improved one, with tech from bigger VW models being introduced and a new fabric covering the dashboard to reduce the plastic effect.
The coupe shape is a development on that of the VW Tayron, a car that deserves a higher profile than it currently has. There are new LED headlights as standard at the front and LED matrix headlights are an extra option. The rear has an LED light crossbar unit.
The T-Roc is, of course, based on the Golf. For the Irish market, it will have two versions - both with mild hybrid functions and a 1.5 litre TSI engine. The power outputs will be either 116 horsepower or 150 horsepower. A more sporty R-Line will also be available.
The mild hybrids will go on sale by next summer and will be joined next year by two full hybrid versions - the first full hybrids from VW. These will have a 1.5 litre engine.
The T-Roc now has a newly-designed cockpit and the entry level Life version gets a 10.2 " screen, while the Style version gets a 12.9" screen.
Interestingly, the car now gets a centre rotary control - a move away from touch buttons and sliders whose prevalence in previous cars was given a scalding in customer feedback - to control things like driving profiles and volume control. A head-up windscreen display will be an optional extra.
With more interior space promised, the boot has also been expanded to 475 litres - 30 more than in the existing model.
