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Volkswagen T-Roc 2021.

The Volkswagen T-Roc convertible is on the assembly line in Osnabrück.

The only open Volkswagen — the T-Roc Cabriolet — was put into production yesterday at the multibrand plant in Osnabrück (the Porsche Cayman is also assembled there).

The Germans said that «production, assembly and logistics have been significantly modernized in the amount of several tens of millions of euros» and that in the next five years comparable funds will be invested in this site, most of which is intended for the development of the production of the transformable «t-rock».

This is a pretty optimistic view of the model’s prospects. Indeed, back in the summer, the brand’s boss for marketing, Jürgen Stackmann, said that the impetus for the sale of convertibles had ended and from a rational point of view, it was not worth entering this sector.

On the other hand, the mix of convertible and crossover will attract some audience. True, the experience of colleagues suggests that the idea is dubious. An alternative here could be the Evoque Convertible, but the creation of such a version in the new generation of Evoque is a big question.

New VW T-Roc Cabrio: transformation of the image.

Remember the Ewok cross-convertible? Which was developed for a long time, promoted for a long time, then finally released — and after 4 years the manufacturer himself prefers not to remember this unsuccessful (from all points of view) attempt to master unknown markets.

In general, you understood from this introduction: the German manufacturer decided to risk stepping on the same rake and present the world with the T-Roc Cabrio cross-convertible. Whether the attempt will be successful — let’s try to figure it out below.

Of the obvious advantages of the novelty is the price. Which, of course, is not announced now, but the original T-Roc in the manufacturer’s lineup is essentially at the bottom of the «food chain», so its convertible version shouldn’t cost the money of the aforementioned Ewok either.

And, perhaps, this particular item can become a decisive factor for buyers, because otherwise the crossover fully meets the parameters «stylish, fashionable, youthful.»

But definitely not family: despite the presence of four full-fledged seats (three on the back sofa will fit, but without such pleasure), only two doors and a very conventional trunk with a narrow loading window are not very.

At the same time, compared to the «parent» T-Roc, the Cabrio version is even larger: for the sake of full-fledged placement of the cabin next to the folding roof, the manufacturer slightly increased the wheelbase and, slightly, the overall overall length of the crossover.

So the back, albeit with a breeze, is comfortable.

As expected, a separate paragraph should be devoted to the roof. About her — in short theses:

• multilayer convertible top;

• opening / closing in just 9 seconds;

• speed limit for roof servos work — 30 km / h;

• transformation capabilities: from a button in the cabin or from a key fob.

In the closed position, the roof is fixed in the windshield frame using electromechanical locks. In addition, the manufacturer notes the thoughtful aerodynamics of the crossover roof, thanks to which (as well as new seals on the doors and in the window openings), both air resistance in general and acoustic comfort in particular are reduced.

The stiffness points of the crossover have also changed logically: given the lack of a permanent rigid connection with the roof in the monocoque body, the manufacturer has introduced new power elements in the area of ​​doors, bottom, side panels, etc.

Plus additional (unnecessary in a regular car) security systems:

• integrated behind the head restraints power protective bows, extending «in a matter of seconds»;

• reinforced windshield frame;

• built-in safety systems of protection against rollover;

• additional driving assistants.

Boring but useful numbers tell us that the VW T-Roc Cabrio cross-convertible offers a whopping 284 liters of usable boot space (which still needs to be filled — see the boot opening below).

At the same time, a small additional possibility of transformation has been preserved: the rear sofa folds in a 60:40 ratio, opening the opening for long items. Given the possibility of a complete lack of a roof over your head, the usable space in this case can reach infinity.

The rows of seats are organized like an «amphitheater» — that is. rear passengers sit slightly higher than the front ones (616 mm and 599 mm above the asphalt, respectively).

Under the hood, a slightly more modest motor range will be registered than that of the original T-Rock:

• 1-liter 3-cylinder petrol turbo engine 115 hp. (200 Nm)

• 1.5-liter 4-cylinder 150 hp (250 Nm)

3 cylinders will be aggregated exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission, 4 cylinders will optionally work with a 7-speed DSG «robot». The drive has no alternative to the front.

The list of equipment for the cross-convertible includes an 11.7-inch dashboard, a multimedia system with a screen diagonal of up to 8 inches, a 400-watt BeatsAudio speaker system (12 speakers) and extensive personalization options, including the Style and R-Line packages traditional for the German manufacturer.

Which include several options for painting the body and interior elements, rims up to 19 inches, sports suspension with progressive steering, sports seats with integrated headrests, and so on.

The novelty will be produced at the plant in Osnabrück (where, by the way, Golf and Beetle convertibles were also assembled), but how much will have to be paid for an «open heart» is not specified yet.

The start of sales of a small crossover with a soft top is scheduled for next spring.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen has already sold about 360,000 T-Rocs since the launch of the standard crossover in November 2017, and in the fall the family will be replenished with a «hot» version of the T-Roc R with a 300-horsepower engine.