New 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc convertible spied testing
Pre-production version of the Volkswagen T-Roc drop-top SUV is undergoing testing before its 2020 release
Volkswagen is readying a convertible version of its T-Roc SUV - and we’ve spied it testing before its 2020 release. The model was confirmed back in February 2018, and these pictures of a camouflaged prototype give the first glimpse of it on the road.
Confirming the details from a teaser image shown previously, the test car shows that the T-Roc convertible will sport a two-door body and a folding fabric roof.
• Best convertible cars on sale
Still a year or two away from arriving in showrooms, production of the Volkswagen T-Roc cabriolet will begin in the first half of 2020. VW has invested €80 million (£70 million approx) into the development of the new model, which will become the second open-top production SUV after the Range Rover Evoque convertible.
SUVs are big business for VW; the T-Roc cabriolet will be one of a 20-strong SUV model line-up from the brand by 2020. Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, said: "Volkswagen is evolving into an SUV brand.”
The T-Roc has proven to be a successful model for Volkswagen, so the convertible model should further add to its appeal. VW first signalled its intentions to launch a drop-top SUV with the T-Cross Breeze concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. A smaller, Polo-based SUV, called the T-Cross will arrive at the end of 2018 to sit below the T-Roc.
The T-Roc cabriolet will be produced at VW’s Osnabrück plant in Germany where the Golf Cabriolet was previously produced. The same facility currently builds the VW Tiguan and the Porsche 718 Cayman.
Are convertible SUVs a good thing? Let us know your thoughts below...
