T-Roc to arrive in 2018 despite strong global demand: VW Australia

Volkswagen Australia says it still expects to take delivery of the T-Roc SUV some time in 2018 despite strong global demand for the brand new Golf-based crossover.

The T-Roc, which made its public debut this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, is a hugely important model for Volkswagen in the face of the growing popularity of small-SUVs such as the Mazda CX-3, Nissan Qashqai, and Toyota C-HR.

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It is seen as a crucial model by Volkswagen arms around the world including the United States, which has resulted in annual production being boosted almost threefold from 70,000 to 200,000 units.

While it’s not known how many of the 200,000 cars are being built at the AutoEuropa plant in Portugal will be right hand drive, a Volkswagen Australia spokesman told WhichCar the production increase was good news for Australia.

He said Volkswagen Australia officials are currently at the parent company headquarters to discuss availability and would soon be in a position to announce details.

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The T-Roc is part of Volkswagen’s belated SUV push, which includes the new Tiguan Allspace that’s also due here in 2018 and the next generation Touareg.

The baby SUV’s in-the-flesh debut at Frankfurt revealed a stronger resemblance to the Tiguan than initial images suggested.

It rides higher than anticipated, and while its length and wheelbase are shorter than Tiguan, most of that is achieved with short overhangs that give it a wide athletic stance without compromising interior space.