Volkswagen has been considering the T-Roc for India since a while now, and a new report suggests that it could launch this SUV in a few months' time. Internationally, the company had introduced this SUV in 2017.
Speaking to Moneycontrol, a top Volkswagen India official said the Indian subsidiary's new product offensive will begin with the launch of an imported SUV this year. Currently, the company sells only one SUV - the Tiguan. “In a couple of months, we should see some product action", Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen India, told moneycontrol recently. Below is what he spoke further:
"T-Roc is one of the potential cars (but) we have not yet decided. What is clear is that it has to be an SUV. For us, Volkswagen will become an SUV brand. That is the clear focus. It does not prevent us from having sedans but SUVs will be the focus.”
Since September last year, the Indian government allows automakers to import up to 2,500 new M1 category vehicles irrespective of their FOB value and engine capacity (if applicable) without homologation in India, provided that they have homologated the same in Europe or Japan. These vehicles must comply with EEC (European Economic Community) or ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) or Japanese standards and be right-hand drive. Volkswagen India will use this opportunity to import the T-Roc in limited numbers.
“We are looking at many options for India. That is the advantage of being a global player. We have so many cars to choose from. I have to also say that there are a lot of models that we cannot bring because of the high costs. India is extremely competitive and it is very protective with its tax system. So that prevents us from launching multiple cars here.”
In terms of dimensions, the VW T-Roc measures 4,234 mm in length, 1,819 mm in width and 1,573 mm (FWD)/1,572 mm (AWD) in height. It has a 2,590 mm wheelbase. Its engine line-up includes a couple of turbocharged engines starting from a 115 PS/200 Nm 1.0L TSI petrol unit up to the 190 PS/400 Nm 2.0L TDI diesel unit. 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic are the transmission choices, and 4MOTION AWD system is optional.
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It is said that the VW T-Roc will be offered in India with only the 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine that generates 190 PS and 320 Nm of torque. In Europe, the configurations fitted with this engine get 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION AWD as standard. It would be a very pricey CBU import easily costing INR 20-25 lakh (ex-showroom).
[Source - Moneycontrol]
