With its expressive front end, the new T-Roc bridges the gap to the larger Tayron
Good to know
- New design is a reflection of incredible confidence – The second T-Roc combines iconic DNA with fresh interpretation of front and rear design
- Important boost to vehicle length –An increase of 122 mm makes the new T-Roc appear half a class larger and creates more space in the interior
- Perfect illumination – Illuminated VW logos, new IQ.LIGHT matrix headlights with a high-performance additional main beam and 3D-look tail light clusters
- Aerodynamic efficiency – the current drag coefficient of Cd = from 0.29 corresponds to a 10-percent increase compared with the predecessor.
The dimensions of the T-Roc
Superior size. The ideal ratio between the compact exterior dimensions and the superior five-seater and thus fully family-friendly interior is one of the reasons why more than two million units of the first-generation T-Roc were sold. And this ratio has become even better in the new T-Roc. At 4,373 mm, the second generation is exactly 122 mm longer than its predecessor; the wheelbase has increased to 2,631 mm (+28 mm). This increase benefits the space available for the three seats in the rear and the 475 litres (+30 litres) of space in the luggage compartment. The new T-Roc comes in at 1,828 mm (+9 mm) wide (without exterior mirrors) and 1,562 mm (+9 mm) tall. To put that into context within the brand: The current T-Cross is up to 4,135 mm long (-238 mm), while the new-generation Tiguan launched in 2024 spans a length of 4,539 mm (+166 mm). Furthermore, the new T-Roc has become significantly more aerodynamic: The current drag coefficient of Cd = from 0.29 corresponds to a 10-percent increase compared with the predecessor.
The body design
Brand new and yet distinctively T-Roc. The first T-Roc already had its own unique style – an unmistakable yet appealing face that stood out from the crowd. Its hallmark features included a striking silver stripe extending from the A-pillar to the distinct T-Roc D-pillar. This stripe helped to extend the roof line and was christened the “hockey stick” by designers on account of its shape. Another of the T-Roc’s clear archetypal features was the sharp, muscular and powerful shoulder section above the rear wheel arch. As part of the model series’ iconic DNA, these features have also been incorporated into the successor’s new design. So, despite its redesign and enhancements, this makes it immediately recognisable as a T-Roc – right down to the very last millimetre.
Expressive front end. Enhancing a design involves having the courage to combine the DNA of a best-seller with brand-new elements and thus take it into a new era. The front end of the new T-Roc does exactly that: The “face” now showcases a stylistic relationship with the family of other modern-day Volkswagens, like the Tayron and ID.7. In addition, the new T-Roc has a “product face” with the greatest possible autonomy. Every line, every edge, every surface and every curve are based on logic and functionality. Take the bonnet, for example: Similar to the Tayron, it is embedded in the contour that runs all the way round the high and uniform design of the front section. The peripheral outer edge of the bonnet becomes a design element in itself. The front line of this edge is merged back into the front end between and above the headlights via a slim chrome or LED strip. The bonnet also features powerful contours: The wide and smooth centre is lower, while the side surfaces are higher; the vertical lines between these surfaces meet the imagined continuation of the headlight housing inner boundaries with incredible precision.
Distinctive light design. he T-Roc takes on a very focused and confident look thanks to the dynamic graphics of the LED headlights – especially in conjunction with the optional LED Plus headlights and the even more powerful IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights as well as the full-length LED strip installed with both of these options The illuminated VW logo is now integrated into this design as well. The interaction between all of the elements lends the upper section of the front end a progressive and futuristic appearance. The front end’s lower segment is characterised by the wide ventilation grille. At the sides it is bordered by aerodynamic air deflectors, while the sides of the intricate black air grilles are refined by elements in the vehicle colour. At the bottom, a spoiler in the style of an underride guard rounds off the area. The daytime running light elements installed in the bumper on the predecessor model have been replaced, with their function now being performed by the better protected LED elements in the upper area of the front end.
Dynamic silhouette. Compared to the predecessor model, the new T-Roc appears larger, sportier, more confident and, thanks to its value appeal, also more mature. This is particularly evident when looking at the silhouette. In the upper area, the designers have added a dynamic enhancement to the silver “hockey stick” (roof frame strip) and the D-pillar of the predecessor by giving the roof line an even more coupé-like finish at the rear. Both make the T-Roc appear larger and sportier. The iconic roof frame strip also separates the body from the roof, which can be painted in a contrasting colour to the body colour and lowers the T-Roc’s visual centre of gravity. The ratio of the flat greenhouse (roof and window surfaces) to the painted body surfaces makes the new T-Roc look more like a dynamic CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) as opposed to a conventional SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle). The ergonomically designed door openers are now located higher. A particularly striking element that forms part of the T-Roc DNA is the two-part character line. At the front, it evolves out of the LED light strip of the headlights and, with a sharp undercut, runs to just in front of the A-pillar. Below the character line, the flared front wheel arches and wing panels shape the image. In future, the wheel arches will be filled with wheels of up to 20 inches in size (previously a maximum of 19 inches). The character line does not re-emerge until it reaches the rear section of the rear doors. Here, it rises above the door handles with a radius parallel to the wheel arch and then runs horizontally into the rear end. The rear side area of the character line and the flared wing panels were both distinctive design elements in the first T-Roc. In the second generation, the shoulder area shaped by the undercut has become even more powerful and striking. One thing is certain: The crisp T-Roc proportions, the powerfully sculpted T-Roc muscles above the wheel arches and the strong T-Roc side skirts of the new generation lend this SUV a more masculine and athletic appearance.
Coupé-like rear end. The rear end of the T-Roc has been completely redesigned, appearing even more distinctive now. The more coupé-like design of the tailgate and the stretched roof edge spoiler to the rear give the vehicle a significantly more dynamic appearance. Here, too, the T-Roc now looks bigger and even more refined. The entire rear area, including the tailgate which extends much further outwards, has been accentuated horizontally to emphasise the new T-Roc’s width and to give the vehicle a strong appearance on the road. While the predecessor still had split tail light clusters, the model series’ second generation now uses a glass-covered crossbar, which is illuminated from the mid-range specification package. In this case, the red illuminated rear VW logo is integrated in the middle. The level below is home to the sculpted number plate area and a diffuser, with the latter giving the SUV an additional kick of stability and sportiness. Above the light strips, the entire rear area is joined by the aerodynamic spoiler lip that runs all the way around and extends into the character line and shoulder section – a design feature that underlines Volkswagen’s quintessential solidity.
The LED headlights in detail. In the basic version Trend and Life specification package, the T-Roc is equipped with new LED headlights and daytime running lights as standard. From the Life specification and above, the exterior mirrors also feature a light projection as surround lighting. The top-of-the-range Style and R-Line specifications feature the even more powerful LED Plus headlights as standard, including dynamic cornering lights, the narrow LED light strip and the white illuminated VW front logo. In this case, the automatic lighting control, the cornering and poor-weather lights as well as the Light Assist main-beam control, which automatically activates and deactivates the high beams, are also included as standard. The IQ.LIGHT - LED matrix headlights also represent a new development stage. The narrow LED light strip and the illuminated VW logo are also integrated here. The IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights are characterised by new high-performance LED additional main beam lights. The extended equipment (compared to LED Plus) also includes the Dynamic Light Assist advanced main-beam control (which helps to mask road users ahead and oncoming traffic).
The LED tail light clusters in detail. The tail light clusters on the new T-Roc are also designed as an LED system as standard. If the SUV is equipped with the LED Plus headlights or the IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, the new 3D tail light clusters are automatically included. In this case, the glass-covered crossbar between the tail light clusters is also illuminated and the rear VW logo is illuminated in red. The tail light clusters also include a Coming Home and a Leaving Home light animation. The new lighting systems give the new T-Roc a unique day and night light signature.
The body aerodynamics
10 percent improvement to drag coefficient. As a key factor for efficiency, the aerodynamics of the T-Roc were refined in elaborate virtual flow simulations and in real-life testing in the wind tunnel. With a Cd (drag coefficient) value of 0.29, it is 10 percent better than its predecessor. The new T-Roc’s end face (A) measures 2.40 m2, which is also an indicator of the refined aerodynamics. These values were achieved through numerous individual measures: At the front, the T-Roc is characterised by features known as air blades, wheel arch spoilers and displacement elements for optimised airflow around the bumper and front wheels. In the rear area, it is the elongated coupé-shaped roof with a roof edge spoiler and side spoilers that reduce air turbulence and thus lower drag. The rear diffuser was also integrated to achieve ideal aerodynamics. The aerodynamic fine-tuning is extended to every detail of the body. It also includes the rims, the T-Roc’s underbody and its exterior mirrors; the latter come from Volkswagen’s beacon of aerodynamic design, the ID.7. Special water deflectors in the A-pillar area, which are also aerodynamically efficient, optimise the acoustics at high speeds.