Volkswagen T-Roc, T-Cross confirmed for Oz, arriving early 2020

Volkswagen has confirmed the Polo-sized T-Cross and the on-again, off-again T-Roc are coming to Australia early in 2020, giving the brand's SUV portfolio a long-overdue boost.

Speaking on the back of a dealer conference in Brisbane, Todd Ford, product manager at Volkswagen Group Australia, said both cars offer a "significant volume opportunity" when they arrive.

We'll start with the T-Cross, the smaller of the two crossovers. It'll start below $30,000 when it arrives, powered by a range of three-cylinder engines. The 85TSI engine from the Polo will feature, but the 70TSI isn't a confirmed starter.

The car is front-wheel drive only, rides 10mm higher than the Polo, and will be offered with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Although specifications are still to be confirmed, we know the car will be available with the Volkswagen Active Info Display inside, along with a range of colourful trim options. The cabin is pictured in one of its less colourful guises below.

Despite its compact dimensions, the car's luggage area measures between 385L and 455L with the rear seats in place, which slide to allow more passenger room or cargo space. With the second row folded, the T-Cross can hold up to 1281L.

Outside, an R-Line package will be offered, and buyers will be able to spec wheels up to 18 inches. A wider range of colours than offered on the Polo will be available on the T-Cross, including an eye-catching shade of turquoise.

Moving onto the T-Roc, which will arrive shortly after the T-Cross priced beneath $40,000. It's based on the Golf, but will follow in the T-Cross's footsteps with a wider range of colour options, both for the body and contrasting roof.

Three trim grades will be offered: Style, Sport and R-Line. Each will get a unique cabin finish, and wheels up to 19 inches will be offered.

There's also the option of adaptive dampers, and the car will be all-wheel drive. Given its Golf origins, power will come from a range of turbocharged four-cylinder engines, but exactly which states of tune remains to be seen.

Boot space is 445L with the rear seats in place and 1290L with them folded, more than a Mazda CX-5 or Ford Escape, both of which are much bigger externally.

As for the T-Roc R? Volkswagen Australia is obviously keen given the popularity of the Golf R, but actually getting it is another story. Paul Pottinger, communications boss for VW Australia, simply said the company is "after it".

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