VW Confirms T-Roc Convertible

Volkswagen AG plans to introduce a convertible version of the recently launched T-Roc compact SUV/crossover in 2020.

The company will invest more than €80 million ($98 million) to develop the convertible and update its Osnabrück, Germany, factory to build it. Annual volumes for the drop-top model are projected to be 20,000 units.

VW released a drawing of the T-Roc convertible’s profile (above), which looks similar to the smaller Golf Cabriolet that was discontinued two years ago. The carmaker previously teased the idea with the T-Cross Breeze concept (below) at the 2016 Geneva auto show.

The base T-Roc was launched last autumn in Europe and China. VW says it has already received 40,000 orders for the vehicle, but the carmaker has no immediate plans to sell the model in the U.S.

VW intends to launch 20 crossover/SUV by 2020. Such vehicles are expected to account for 40% of the company’s global sales by then.

Noting that VW is evolving into an “SUV brand,” CEO Herbert Diess says the T-Roc-based convertible will add a “highly emotional model” to the lineup.

The T-Roc shares its MQB chassis with VW Group’s Audi Q2 small crossover. The vehicle features a host of driver-assist technologies.