VW News: Forbidden Fruit: Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet

[Drew Dowdell]

Volkswagen has taken the wraps off the 2020 T-Roc Cabriolet ahead of the Frankfurt International Auto Show in September. Volkswagen says the T-Roc Cabriolet offers just the right combination of SUV flexibility and the open air experience of a convertible. The soft top opens in just 9 seconds, can open or close while the car is in motion up to 18.6 mph (30 km/h), and locks or unlocks electrically. 

On the safety front, the T-Roc Cabrio has roll-over protection. The system can detect a roll-over and the system springs upwards just behind the rear headrests. The windshield frame is also reinforced.

It comes with an optional digital cockpit that has an "Always-On" connectivity to the internet and Volkswagen services.

Two engines are available, a 1.0 three-cylinder engine with 113 horsepower or a 148 horsepower 1.5 liter four-cylinder. A 6-speed manual is standard on both engines while the more powerful engine also has a 7-speed DCT available as an option. 

Launching in Spring of 2020, the T-Roc Cabriolet remains Forbidden Fruit in the U.S. like its hard top brother. Volkswagen calls the vehicle in the pictures a "near-production" concept car, so expect some changes between now and launch. 

 

Related:
Volkswagen: No T-Roc For America, But We're Working On Something

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[Robert Hall]

Neat...kind of a budget Evoque cabriolet.     Not sure how big the market for a crossover cabrio is... but, I like seeing offbeat stuff like this. 

[Drew Dowdell]

I don't hate it... but why so weak on the power? The thing has got to be heavy for its size.

[G. David Felt]

Cute cuv for small people who want a small auto. Have to agree with @Drew Dowdell as the power seems anemic for the auto.

[Robert Hall]

Sorta kinda a replacement for the late Beetle and Eos cabriolets.   Those were neat cars...I can see the appeal of such a convertible...not a performance car, but a cruiser..saw a brown Eos on the ferry out to Kelleys Island last Saturday..on a sunny, 75 degree summer day it could be fun.   

Edited August 14, 2019 by Robert Hall

[G. David Felt]

21 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Sorta kinda a replacement for the late Beetle and Eos cabriolets.   Those were neat cars...I can see the appeal of such a convertible...not a performance car, but a cruiser..saw a brown Eos on the ferry out to Kelleys Island last Saturday..on a sunny, 75 degree summer day it could be fun.   

As one that has lived in the sun but after skin cancer and a rebuild of my nose, now uses hats heavily and prefers to stay out of the sun. Pass on this convertible.

[surreal1272]

No. Just no. 

 

“Convertible SUV” is an automotive oxymoron. 

[smk4565]

I predict 1,000,000 sales year 1, because Crossover Convertible!

[Robert Hall]

1 hour ago, surreal1272 said:

No. Just no. 

 

“Convertible SUV” is an automotive oxymoron. 

The Wrangler does well in this niche.  But I like the idea of a convertible SUV w/ a power top.   A 2dr Grand Cherokee cabrio would be sweet...

[surreal1272]

25 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

The Wrangler does well in this niche.  But I like the idea of a convertible SUV w/ a power top.   A 2dr Grand Cherokee cabrio would be sweet...

The Wrangler is an exception to the rule. It was built as a convertible from day one as a two door. Crap like the Murano, the Evoque, and now this hideous thing look absolutely hideous. It adds unnecessary weight to already underpowered CUVs/SUVs and reduces the biggest selling point of them, cargo room. Convertibles belong on two door cars and two door cars alone (Wrangler not withstanding).

[ocnblu]

2 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

No. Just no. 

 

“Convertible SUV” is an automotive oxymoron. 

What was that about a moron? 

 

The T-Roc cabrio HAD to be built.  From the original Beetle, up through the Rabbit and Golf cabrios... this is the quintessential "college girl" car.  I can see a lot of upper middle class moms reliving their yutes and getting one for themselves and their daughters.

[surreal1272]

30 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

What was that about a moron? 

 

The T-Roc cabrio HAD to be built.  From the original Beetle, up through the Rabbit and Golf cabrios... this is the quintessential "college girl" car.  I can see a lot of upper middle class moms reliving their yutes and getting one for themselves and their daughters.

Big damn deal blu. Again, exception to the rule and quite honestly, that K-5 doesn’t pull it off that well either but at least the top doesn’t eat the cargo space, which if you actually READ my follow up post, you’d see why I think the crap made in the last decade or so are perfect examples of absolute waste. The tops retract into the back of these things thus killing the otherwise open and taller entry for cargo. Add in the extra weight and puny engines carrying them, and you have the perfect recipe of waste. That’s my point since you didn’t bother to read or understand my other posts regarding these monstrosities. 

Oh and those old K-5 drop tops might have been the thing back then but when people realized they liked being dry with the top up in the rain, they fell by the wayside. An old friend of mine had one years ago and it was a leak monster. 

Who’s the moron now ??

Edited August 15, 2019 by surreal1272

[smk4565]

I think the T-Roc looks good, I don't know how a convertible will sell, but why not, no one else makes cheap convertibles anymore, other than a Miata, maybe those Mustang and Camaro in there, but that is about it for convertibles under $40k.

[riviera74]

34 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

I think the T-Roc looks good, I don't know how a convertible will sell, but why not, no one else makes cheap convertibles anymore, other than a Miata, maybe those Mustang and Camaro in there, but that is about it for convertibles under $40k.

Convertibles have had a hard time selling in the USA for the better part of a decade.  One more will not move the sales needle anytime soon.

[smk4565]

1 hour ago, riviera74 said:

Convertibles have had a hard time selling in the USA for the better part of a decade.  One more will not move the sales needle anytime soon.

Maybe because those convertibles weren't crossovers.  People want crossovers.

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, smk4565 said:

Maybe because those convertibles weren't crossovers.  People want crossovers.

Want Crossovers yes, convertible on top of the crossover, I doubt it.

[ocnblu]

Wait... whaaaat???

[surreal1272]

5 hours ago, ocnblu said:

Wait... whaaaat???

Wow! You only had to go back more than fifty years to show the last time trucks had drop tops. How many years did those last and why did they stop selling them? Oh that’s right. I already answered that smart ass. 

 

See the difference in what I’m talking and whatever point you’re trying to make? Do I need to get some crayons and draw it out for you? 

 

Edited August 15, 2019 by surreal1272

[Robert Hall]

3 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

Wow! You only had to go back more than fifty years to show the last time trucks had drop tops. How many years did those last and why did they stop selling them? Oh that’s right. I already answered that smart ass. 

And the Broncos, Scouts, Ramchargers, Blazers and Jimmies didn't even have normal convertible tops but primitive tops that snapped on and had to be manually removed.    Very different from a proper power folding top like the Murano CC, Evoque, or T-Roc have...

[surreal1272]

13 hours ago, smk4565 said:

Maybe because those convertibles weren't crossovers.  People want crossovers.

No one bought the Murano or the Evoque and with good reason. They are useless in convertible form. 

Just now, Robert Hall said:

And the Broncos, Scouts, Ramchargers, Blazers and Jimmies didn't even have normal convertible tops but primitive tops that snapped on and had to be manually removed.    Very different from a proper power folding top like the Murano CC, Evoque, or T-Roc have...

Exactly. In this day and age of “safety first”, those things wouldn’t even be allowed on the road today as new models. There was also the issue of what to do with certain tops and if you had the hard vinyl tops (that were on the old 80s model K5s and Broncos), then there was the issue of leaving them at home if you want to drive topless and praying to god that it didn’t rain on you while you were out and about or in a store. It’s simple logic why those failed and it’s even simpler logic why they don’t work in their current form today but some oxymorons have to troll just for the sake of trolling I guess. 

[Robert Hall]

3 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

  There was also the issue of what to do with certain tops and if you had the hard vinyl tops (that were on the old 80s model K5s and Broncos), then there was the issue of leaving them at home if you want to drive topless and praying to god that it didn’t rain on you while you were out and about or in a store.  

Yet somehow the Wrangler continues to succeed with the primitive approach and removable tops.  Sounds like the new Bronco may have a version with such a configuration.  Will be interesting to see if it works for them. 

[surreal1272]

Just now, Robert Hall said:

Yet somehow the Wrangler continues to succeed with the primitive approach and removable tops.  Sounds like the new Bronco may have a version with such a configuration.  Will be interesting to see if it works for them. 

Like I said yesterday though, the Wrangler was a top optional truck from the start and actually ended up with better rollover protection than those rolling death traps of the sixties. Everyone else has tried to copy it and failed miserably. 

[G. David Felt]

5 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

Wow! You only had to go back more than fifty years to show the last time trucks had drop tops. How many years did those last and why did they stop selling them? Oh that’s right. I already answered that smart ass. 

 

See the difference in what I’m talking and whatever point you’re trying to make? Do I need to get some crayons and draw it out for you? 

 

? for those autos

[ocnblu]

These newer convertibles are CUV, not SUV surreal.  Get your nomenclature straight.  Do I have to quote you again in crayon?

[A Horse With No Name]

1 hour ago, dfelt said:

? for those autos

You and me both brother. Burn both with a fire, preferably thermonuclear 

5 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

These newer convertibles are CUV, not SUV surreal.  Get your nomenclature straight.  Do I have to quote you again in crayon?

I love it when you talk rough....

12 hours ago, ocnblu said:

Wait... whaaaat???

Even as a Ford hater, comparing this Volkswagen pig to a nice vintage Ford is a form of blasphemy. 

23 hours ago, ocnblu said:

What was that about a moron? 

 

The T-Roc cabrio HAD to be built.  From the original Beetle, up through the Rabbit and Golf cabrios... this is the quintessential "college girl" car.  I can see a lot of upper middle class moms reliving their yutes and getting one for themselves and their daughters.

Lard butted women with a lard butted car....women with over-sized glutes celebrating their yutes....has a nice ring to it. 

[surreal1272]

2 hours ago, ocnblu said:

These newer convertibles are CUV, not SUV surreal.  Get your nomenclature straight.  Do I have to quote you again in crayon?

Good grief. You seriously have a reading comprehension problem. It is a problem whether it is a CUV or an SUV so get your nomenclature straight before trolling as usual. The same issues exist (where do you stash removal top, what happens to cargo room when it’s just a retractable top, etc) so quit trying to split hairs where there aren’t any and actually read and properly comprehend what I’m saying before pulling your little troll act again. 

 

The key part of all this blu is that I am merely stating my opinion that overall, convertible SUVs and CUVs are pretty damn pointless, Jeep Wrangler not withstanding.

Edited August 16, 2019 by surreal1272

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

Good grief. You seriously have a reading comprehension problem. It is a problem whether it is a CUV or an SUV so get your nomenclature straight before trolling as usual. The same issues exist (where do you stash removal top, what happens to cargo room when it’s just a retractable top, etc) so quit trying to split hairs where there aren’t any and actually read and properly comprehend what I’m saying before pulling your little troll act again. 

 

The key part of all this blu is that I am merely stating my opinion that overall, convertible SUVs and CUVs are pretty damn pointless, Jeep Wrangler not withstanding.

I used to think it was cool but the more I look at the Dakota Convertible Pickup truck that Dodge made in limited production, the more I realized what a waste of resources they spent.

I bet most of those trucks had to be sold at a loss.

[ocnblu]

4 hours ago, dfelt said:

I used to think it was cool but the more I look at the Dakota Convertible Pickup truck that Dodge made in limited production, the more I realized what a waste of resources they spent.

I bet most of those trucks had to be sold at a loss.

We get it.  You hate convertibles, or any open top vehicle.  Because "the sun".  But there are others who enjoy them.  The Dakota convertible was built during a time when Chrysler Corporation spearheaded an industry-wide convertible renaissance.  And they sold a lot of them, company-wide, for many years.  They burst the convertible market wide open and let some fresh air in.

Surreal, a convertible has ALWAYS been a trade-off.  They are for people who willingly take the trade in practicality for the freedom of open-air driving.  This T-Roc continues a very long Volkswagen tradition of catering to these individuals... who are willing to sacrifice ultimate practicality for enjoyable motoring.

[Drew Dowdell]

2 hours ago, ocnblu said:

  This T-Roc continues a very long Volkswagen tradition of catering to these individuals... who are willing to sacrifice ultimate practicality for enjoyable motoring.

Except... not in the U.S. 

[surreal1272]

5 hours ago, ocnblu said:

We get it.  You hate convertibles, or any open top vehicle.  Because "the sun".  But there are others who enjoy them.  The Dakota convertible was built during a time when Chrysler Corporation spearheaded an industry-wide convertible renaissance.  And they sold a lot of them, company-wide, for many years.  They burst the convertible market wide open and let some fresh air in.

Surreal, a convertible has ALWAYS been a trade-off.  They are for people who willingly take the trade in practicality for the freedom of open-air driving.  This T-Roc continues a very long Volkswagen tradition of catering to these individuals... who are willing to sacrifice ultimate practicality for enjoyable motoring.

When you have actually read what I said and why I said it, then we can talk. Until then, like Drew said, this isn’t even for the US so you’re just spouting off about nothing as usual. 

 

For the record, this is a proper convertible and this is what you trade practicality for.

 

 

Edited August 16, 2019 by surreal1272

[G. David Felt]

5 hours ago, ocnblu said:

We get it.  You hate convertibles, or any open top vehicle.  Because "the sun".  But there are others who enjoy them.  The Dakota convertible was built during a time when Chrysler Corporation spearheaded an industry-wide convertible renaissance.  And they sold a lot of them, company-wide, for many years.  They burst the convertible market wide open and let some fresh air in.

Surreal, a convertible has ALWAYS been a trade-off.  They are for people who willingly take the trade in practicality for the freedom of open-air driving.  This T-Roc continues a very long Volkswagen tradition of catering to these individuals... who are willing to sacrifice ultimate practicality for enjoyable motoring.

Assumption is what you made and the first 3 letters is what a person is when they make those Assumption's about a person.

I DO NOT hate convertibles or any open top auto and just because I have a Silicon nose bridge and my cheeks from my face now cover my nose due to cancer, I still do not hate them or being out in the sun. 

I am more cautous about being in the sun, but there is really only ever been a real convertible and that was built in the early years when size did not matter and you could have a real convertible and @balthazar has shown us many lovely REAL convertibles.

The only one I really love and was driven by the one man I have always drawn inspiration from Arnold Schwarzenegger is this:

1957 Cadillac Convertible that he has owned since he bought it.

Second most lovely convertible is the Cadillac Convertible Eldorado he drove in his 1985 movie Commando:

Even though it was FWD.

Course I have always had a soft spot for this lovely Cadillac Convertible:

62 series Cadillac Eldorado Convertible.

In regards to the Dakota pickup truck convertible, it was a cool concept poorly executed and they could have done much better if they wanted.

[surreal1272]

4 minutes ago, dfelt said:

Assumption is what you made and the first 3 letters is what a person is when they make those Assumption's about a person.

I DO NOT hate convertibles or any open top auto and just because I have a Silicon nose bridge and my cheeks from my face now cover my nose due to cancer, I still do not hate them or being out in the sun. 

I am more cautous about being in the sun, but there is really only ever been a real convertible and that was built in the early years when size did not matter and you could have a real convertible and @balthazar has shown us many lovely REAL convertibles.

The only one I really love and was driven by the one man I have always drawn inspiration from Arnold Schwarzenegger is this:

1957 Cadillac Convertible that he has owned since he bought it.

Second most lovely convertible is the Cadillac Convertible Eldorado he drove in his 1985 movie Commando:

Even though it was FWD.

Course I have always had a soft spot for this lovely Cadillac Convertible:

62 series Cadillac Eldorado Convertible.

In regards to the Dakota pickup truck convertible, it was a cool concept poorly executed and they could have done much better if they wanted.

Exactly my point. Not every damn thing out there needs a drop top and sure as hell not a CUV. 

 

Oh and that last pic is the convertible I would have only in black with a white ragtop and red leather interior. ‘59 please. 

5 hours ago, ocnblu said:

We get it.  You hate convertibles, or any open top vehicle.  Because "the sun".  But there are others who enjoy them.  The Dakota convertible was built during a time when Chrysler Corporation spearheaded an industry-wide convertible renaissance.  And they sold a lot of them, company-wide, for many years.  They burst the convertible market wide open and let some fresh air in.

Surreal, a convertible has ALWAYS been a trade-off.  They are for people who willingly take the trade in practicality for the freedom of open-air driving.  This T-Roc continues a very long Volkswagen tradition of catering to these individuals... who are willing to sacrifice ultimate practicality for enjoyable motoring.

Wildly popular? I know you are not talking about the Dakota Convertible. From an article that took all of eight seconds to find. 

“A scant 2842 adventurous souls took Dodge up on its top-down Dakota offer that year. For 1990, even with the addition of four-cylinder trucks and the color blue to the paint options, sales fell to just 909.”

 

Source (and proving how not everything needs or should have a drop top). 

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2018/06/27/1989-91-dodge-dakota-sport-convertible

 

[A Horse With No Name]

3 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

When you have actually read what I said and why I said it, then we can talk. Until then, like Drew said, this isn’t even for the US so you’re just spouting off about nothing as usual. 

 

For the record, this is a proper convertible and this is what you trade practicality for.

 

 

I am so thinking of getting another Miata. 

[ocnblu]

13 hours ago, ocnblu said:

they sold a lot of them, company-wide

 

8 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

Wildly popular? I know you are not talking about the Dakota Convertible

And you talk about others' READING COMPREHENSION? 

8 hours ago, dfelt said:

he has owned since he bought it

Makes perfect sense

[surreal1272]

17 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

 

And you talk about others' READING COMPREHENSION? 

Makes perfect sense

So no real response? You brought up the Dakota like it was somehow popular because Chrysler had other popular convertibles (outside of the LeBaron, you are shooting blanks there too). You pretty much proved my point about convertible as it applies to SUVs and apparently pick up trucks. Whatever success they may have had with convertibles did not carry over to the Dakota because there was NO DEMAND FOR IT. Get it now? No lack of comprehension at all because it was you who failed to read what I saying in the first damn place. Stop deflecting and stop acting you don’t know what I was saying. 

Edited August 17, 2019 by surreal1272

[ocnblu]

If you don't stop downvoting me you will receive a wet willy, and it won't be too pleasant.

[surreal1272]

2 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

If you don't stop downvoting me you will receive a wet willy, and it won't be too pleasant.

Wet willy yourself junior. Say something worth upvoting next time instead of your normal trolling nonsense and that might change. 

 

And thanks for proving me right about convertibles and where they belong and don’t belong. 

Edited August 17, 2019 by surreal1272

[surreal1272]

[ocnblu]

Logical progression.  Case closed.  Call the Ministry Of Silly Walks, we are done!  ?

[A Horse With No Name]

3 hours ago, ocnblu said:

Logical progression.  Case closed.  Call the Ministry Of Silly Walks, we are done!  ?

I have never seen a Beetle convertible in Denim blue, and i own a denim blue Beetle R. Neat pic!

[surreal1272]

58 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

I have never seen a Beetle convertible in Denim blue, and i own a denim blue Beetle R. Neat pic!

 

4 hours ago, ocnblu said:

Logical progression.  Case closed.  Call the Ministry Of Silly Walks, we are done!  ?

Better open that case back up because the three CARS above were a two doors while the T-Roc is a four door CUV that gets its cargo space and doors cut in half. Are you paying attention yet or do you still want to make up irrelevant arguments and comparisons to satisfy you urge to troll?

 Again, feel free to reference the “success” of similar attempts at chopping up a CUV. I’m sure Nissan and Land Rover have some words about that. 

 

Seriously, next time pay attention to what was said from the beginning and you can avoid the embarrassment of being wrong  

Edited August 17, 2019 by surreal1272

[surreal1272]

I’m sorry @ocnblu but saying this is a natural progression for VW aid like saying the Nissan 370Z convertible was a natural progression to the Murano convertible. Feel free to reference the Dakota convertible if you wish to save yourself the crayon expense. 

[daves87rs]

On 8/14/2019 at 5:17 PM, dfelt said:

As one that has lived in the sun but after skin cancer and a rebuild of my nose, now uses hats heavily and prefers to stay out of the sun. Pass on this convertible.

Yeah, hate to say it- sun it a bit strong now.

 

It is a nice looking ride though.....