German car giant Volkswagen has just unveiled what it’s said will be its last new model to launch with a petrol engine under the bonnet.
Bosses in 2023 stated it will be the swansong combustion model for the UK and Europe before the company goes full throttle on its electric ambitions. Though that might not be the case anymore…
The all-new second generation T-Roc SUV has been revealed by the Wolfsburg brand on Tuesday featuring new looks, a revised interior and the debut of a hybrid drivetrain that’s set to be rolled out across the rest of the range shortly.
Having sold more than two million examples globally since it arrived in 2017, the T-Roc is now the second most popular vehicle in VW’s well-established line-up. Only the Golf was sold in higher volumes across Europe in 2024.
But while one of the company’s top execs said two years ago that it will be the final new model to enter showrooms with a petrol engine before going gung-ho on battery electric vehicle development, the same boss has now suggested the combustion cut off is dependent on ‘market conditions’.
The hint of a potential U-turn comes in the wake of a Europe-wide slowdown in EV appetite and a relaxation of green targets – economic factors that have already seen a number of brands postpone their electric-only deadlines.
Is this the last new Volkswagen to launch with a petrol engine? Bosses said two years ago that the second-generation T-Roc will be the last brand new combustion model it will bring to the UK and European market. But as EV demand has slowed, is this still the case?
The new T-Roc has grown in size compared to the model it replaces.
It’s 12cm longer than before with an additional 30 litres of boot space (total capacity of 475 litres) as Volkswagen’s engineers have expanded its dimensions to bring it closer in scale to its primary rivals, namely the Toyota C-HR.
What hasn’t changed is the coupe-like design, which by SUV standards – especially now with a contrasting black roof option – looks almost rakish.
Where the biggest update comes is at the front, with the family motor inheriting VW’s latest brand design language, including a wraparound light bar (the same at the back) to keep consistency with the recently revealed Passat estate and bigger Tiguan SUV.
Showcased for the first time this week, UK deliveries aren’t due until November.
Launch models will come with familiar petrol engine options – possibly the last time we will write these words about a Volkswagen passenger car – and no manual gearbox.
It will hit showrooms in 2025 with the choice of 1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder ‘mild hybrid’ powertrains, with the option between outputs of 114bhp or 148bhp.
A more potent 2.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol will be added next year in the range-topping four-wheel-drive variant.
All will be dual-clutch automatic transmissions, with the T-Roc exclusively fitted with the seven-speed DSG ‘box.
From 2026, the T-Roc will also debut a new full-hybrid system from Volkswagen.
Like Toyota’s established drivetrain, this will be a ‘self-charging’ hybrid with a petrol engine supported by a small electric motor to provide economical performance at low speeds around town.
The all-new second generation T-Roc SUV has been revealed by the Wolfsburg brand on Tuesday. It features new looks, a revised interior and the debut of a hybrid drivetrain that’s set to be rolled out across the rest of the range shortly
The new T-Roc has grown in size compared to the model it replaces. It’s 12cm longer than before as part of efforts to make it more compelling in a competitive market, with rivals including Toyota’s C-HR, Hyundai’s Kona and the Kia Niro
Volkswagen says the boot capacity has been increased by 30 litres, taking the total to 475 litres
Away from the new drivetrain, the T-Roc also receives a revamped cabin and the latest VW tech.
This includes the latest 10-inch digital instrument cluster, a larger 12.9-inch dashboard-mounted infotainment touchscreen and a head-up display.
In-line with the facelifted Golf ‘Mk8.5’, bosses have ordered for there to be more button controls and the ditching of haptic switches, which owners found cumbersome to use in previous-generation models.
Instead, VW has reverted to a tried-and-tested multifunction digital rotary dial in the centre console, which can adjust the drive mode, audio volume and other interior settings.
The T-Roc cabin has also receives a revamp and boasts the latest Volkswagen tech and the brand’s recent change in strategy
It now has the latest 10-inch digital instrument cluster, a larger 12.9-inch dashboard-mounted infotainment touchscreen and a head-up display
Bosses have ordered for there to be more button controls and ditching of haptic switches used in previous models. Instead, VW has reverted to a tried-and-tested multifunction digital rotary dial in the centre console, which can adjust the drive mode, audio volume and other settings
But the big question remains: will this be the last all-new petrol Volkswagen brought to the UK market?
Thomas Schaefer, CEO of VW cars, refused to cement that decision when questioned by Autocar.
He told the automotive title: ‘For now, [the T-Roc] is the final totally new vehicle that we will put on a new platform on the combustion side.’
However, he pointed to ongoing uncertainty around the scheduled 2035 ban on sales of new cars with combustion engines in the EU, which is still set to be reviewed in the second half of the year.
The decision has faced industry opposition, with critics warning it could handicap European car makers already struggling with weak demand, Chinese competition and disappointing electric vehicle sales.
UK pricing for T-Roc will be confirmed in the coming weeks. We expect it to start from just above £30,000
Ola Källenius, chief executive at fellow German car-making giant Mercedes earlier this month called for a ‘reality check’ on the proposed EV transition, stating that it would send manufacturers ‘at full speed against a wall’ in an explosive criticism of EU rule makers.
He went on to suggest the European vehicle making industry risks collapse if the European Union refuses to reconsider the proposed ban on sales of new models with combustion engines in the next decade.
Schaefer reiterated this uncertainty, telling Autocar: ‘Customers will decide, and then if the demand [for combustion engines] is there, you will have to think about new vehicles, but for now there is no plan.’
UK pricing for T-Roc will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
We expect it to start from just above £30,000, positioning the compact SUV between the Golf and larger Tiguan.
