The small SUV segment is about to get less interesting, with production of the hot Volkswagen T-Roc R wrapping up.
Volkswagen Group Australia (VGA) says it expects stock of the sporty compact SUV will continue to be available into the first few months of next year.
An R version of the next-generation T-Roc has been confirmed, but it has yet to be locked in for an Australian launch.
The second-generation T-Roc was revealed in August ahead of an expected European-market launch in 2026, though the hot R flagship has yet to be revealed ahead of its 2027 European launch.
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VGA has yet to confirm launch timing for any second-generation T-Roc for our market.
Given the popularity of Volkswagen’s R models locally, we’d expect the new T-Roc R to be a shoo-in.
Notably, the R lineup has shrunk following the retirement of the Tiguan R, with the new-generation mid-size SUV not being offered in R guise.
Volkswagen has yet to confirm any details of the next-generation T-Roc R, though it could feature the most potent 245kW/420Nm version of the Volkswagen Group’s EA888 2.0-litre ‘TSI’ turbo-petrol engine.
Should it do so, that would be a bump in power and torque over the outgoing T-Roc R, which uses a version of the EA888 engine pumping out 221kW and 400Nm.
It’s unclear whether the next T-Roc R will also feature the torque vectoring rear differential seen in the Golf R hot hatch.
The new T-Roc moves to the MQB Evo platform that underpins the current Mk8 Golf.
While it has a similar silhouette to the outgoing T-Roc, the new-generation crossover SUV measures 4373mm long, 1828mm wide, and 1562mm tall, with a 2631mm wheelbase. That means it’s 122mm longer overall, 9mm wider, and 9mm taller, and rides a 28mm longer wheelbase.
Inside the restyled, roomier cabin, the new T-Roc has a 10.0-inch digital instrument cluster and either a 10.4- or 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, running Volkswagen’s latest MIB4 system and featuring anchored climate control buttons.
Back by popular demand is a steering wheel with actual buttons.
The new T-Roc is launching in Europe with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol powertrain, though a full hybrid system will follow later.
The small SUV lineup is a crucial one for Volkswagen. Not only is it the German automaker’s top seller in Europe, but in Australia it’s the brand’s second-best seller.
To the end of September, Volkswagen has delivered 4044 examples this year, placing it behind only the Amarok ute range at 4354 deliveries.