Production VW T-Roc teased ahead of 23 August world debut

The rendering is signed by Marco Giumentaro, a senior exterior designer at VW. The Polo-based T-ROC, which covers the SUV segment below the Tiguan, will be revealed on August 23. It is one of seven new SUVs Volkswagen plans by end of next year.

Here's another image of the VW T-ROC showing the clay model of the vehicle, revealing design details of the front and profile. The T-ROC is an important model from the profit and volume standpoints, with the company looking to increase its operating margin to 4 percent by 2020.

Volkswagen has announced that the production VW T-Roc world premieres on 23 August 2017. Additionally, the company has released a clip talking about the design story of the T-Roc.

Introduced at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the VW T-Roc concept has completed its evolution into Volkswagen's smallest SUV. At the front, the VW T-Roc features sharp, rectangular headlamps and a muscular front bumper with what looks like a silver skid plate. Below the headlamps, the section probably houses LED fog lights positioned between turn indicators and air inlets. At the sides, the new compact SUV has grey fender flares and black ORVMs. The roof and roof bars are also in black.

On the inside, it looks like VW T-Roc buyers will have the option to specify a two-tone colour scheme, with the seat covers, door panels, dashboard and centre console done up in the body colour for a funky look. The new compact SUV is equipped with a virtual instrument cluster, or Active Info Display as Volkswagen terms it. On the dashboard sits a large touchscreen infotainment system. It looks similar to that of the sixth generation VW Polo.

Based on the MQB A1 platform, the VW T-Roc is said to measure 4.30 metres in length with a ground clearance 15 mm more than the VW Golf (142 mm). Volkswagen will offer the T-Roc likely with 115 PS 1.0-litre TSI petrol, 150 PS 1.5-litre TSI Evo petrol, 190 PS 2.0-litre TSI petrol, 115 PS 1.6-litre TDI diesel, 150 PS 2.0-litre TDI diesel and 190 PS 2.0-litre TDI diesel engines. German reports speak of a CNG option at the launch.

Transmission choices should include 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG automatic. Volkswagen may reserve the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system for high output engines.

The VW T-Roc should hit the European markets by the end of this year. Its first public outing should be at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA 2017) next month.