Volkswagen Golf-based Crossover Planned For 2017 Geneva Motor Show

Whispers through the Volkswagen grapevine hint that the company is planning to expand its Golf lineup with the addition of a crossover model, which could debut in time for the 2017 Geneva Motorshow next march.

UK-based Autocar, quoting insider sources at VW, reports that that the new model would feature as a thinly disguised concept vehicle at Geneva 2017, drawing heavily from the design language of the VW T-Roc concept of 2014.

The all-new model is to slot just under the second-generation VW Tiguan and prices may start around GBP19,000 – circa GBP1,365 more than the current entry level Golf model.

Like the Golf and upcoming Tiguan model – the T-Roc will be based on the MQB platform and is expected to mimic the Golf 2,640mm wheelbase, some 41mm shorter than the VW Tiguan. The concept T-Roc crossover measures 4178mm in length, 1831mm width and 1501mm in height – dimensions the production car is expected to maintain.

The interior architecture will borrow from the facelifted seventh-generation VW Golf, which recently made its European debut. Among the highlights is a 9.2-inch infotainment screen which will support speech and gesture controls.

The T-Roc crossover will be adapted to house a number of VW group engines ranging from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo outputting 113bhp to a newer evolution of 1.5-litre ‘TSI’ units currently featured in the facelift Mk 7.5 Golf in European markets.

A suite of four-cylinder 1.6 and 2.0 litre turbodiesel power plants are also on the cards. Model variants should also include a performance GTI version utilising the direct-injected and turbocharged (EA888) engine, tweaked to produce around 240bhp.

The T-Roc could be offered in either two-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations, gearboxes will include six-speed manuals and or the commonplace seven-speed dual clutch automatics. Later model derivatives could also utilise the hybrid powertrain from the Golf GTE or go full-electric like the e-Golf, which VW claims will have a range of 299km with the larger 2017 battery packs.

With the soon to be introduced VW Atlas seven-seater SUV, mostly developed to cater for the American and Chinese markets – the T-Roc and Tiguan will play a big role in the VW group’s SUV product offensive in Europe and other markets.