THE CALL FOR A CAB (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Volkswagen's T-Roc Cabriolet offers the fashionistas a welcome extra option. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the improved model.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 75

The T-Roc Cabriolet is that rarest of things - an open-topped SUV. A few compromises were necessary to create this design, but they're not things that many potential buyers of this model will be too bothered about. At heart, it's still a T-Roc. And this car still has all the quality, style and character of a memorable open-topped Volkswagen, especially in this improved form. Which makes it, in its own individual way, very desirable indeed.

Backgroundword count: 106

Given the fashionable demographic of SUVs and Crossovers, it's surprising that we haven't seen more convertible ones. Before the introduction of the open-topped model we look at here, the Volkswagen T-ROC Cabriolet, the only one we'd previously seen was the short-lived range Rover Evoque Convertible. Undaunted, Volkswagen was determined to bring T-TOC buyers this wind-in-the-hair variant, perhaps because all the brand's other cabrios of recent years (the EOS and open-topped versions of the Golf and the Beetle) are all long gone. It doesn't seem right that the VW brand should be without a convertible. And now that it isn't, what do we think of this one?

Driving Experienceword count: 243

This is very much a boulevardier cabriolet for fashionistas - who'll want to know about the hood. It's a multi-layered fabric affair that lowers at the press of a button in under 12 seconds and stores itself neatly above the luggage compartment behind the rear seats. It certainly doesn't feel particularly sporty, first because you sit at SUV height. And second because the extra 194kgs of weight that this Cabrio variant has to carry around will become quite evident in the unlikely event that you're minded to try and start chucking the thing about. There are no petrol engine changes as part of this update: surprisingly, Volkswagen isn't introducing its mild hybrid tech. So, as before, there's a choice of two TSI units: a 115PS 1.0-litre TSI offered only with 6-speed manual transmission. And a 150PS 1.5 TSI EVO unit offered with either that manual 'box or a 7-speed DSG auto. Even that 1.5-litre version isn't exactly a ball of fire, making 62mph from rest in 9.6s en route to 127mph. We'd be tempted to stick to the smaller unit. There's the option of plusher 'R-Line' trim with lowered suspension and larger 19-inch wheels which together will give a noticeably firmer ride. Try before you buy. All versions of this car get a standard 'Drive Profile Selection' driving modes system that allows you to tweak throttle response, steering feel and, on DSG variant, gearshift timings to suit the way you want to drive.

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