Test: T-Roc Cabrio 1.5 TSi Style (2020) // Crossover or Convertible? That is the question
Content
Volkswagen has had a long run with convertibles since they put the first canvas-top beetle on the road seven decades ago, in front of the first four golf courses, and then the hardtop Eos coupe convertible, which, unlike the aforementioned, was not a hit. . Both current generations of the Beetle were also available with a canvas roof, but remained in the shadow of the Golf. From the most successful model, the canvas said goodbye to the sixth generation, and since then Volkswagen no longer has a convertible or did not have one until spring.
The idea of an open SUV is certainly not new, and Volkswagen first implemented it during World War II with Kübelwagn, which of course has nothing to do with the present. I don't know what was going on in the minds of the strategists of Europe's largest automaker.when they met in the conference rooms of the office building in Wolfsberg and after analyzing the results of market research and customer surveys, they decided to continue the tradition of T-Roc convertibles, but in any case, the decision was very daring.
Interest in classic convertibles faded for some time, so something new, fresh and unusual had to be proposed.... There have already been (mostly unsuccessful) attempts in this direction, I remember, for example, the Range Rover Evoque convertible, which ended its career in less than two years of production.
Of course, I in no way want a similar fate to befall a newcomer Volkswagen, who combines two completely different characters with some common features. The T-Roc convertible sits on the same base as the regular five-seater version with a tin roof, but 4,4 centimeters longer and 15 centimeters longer., has a wheelbase (4 meters), stretched by 2,63 centimeters, and 190 kilograms heavier.
In tight parking lots, the door is a little uncomfortable, and in the passenger compartment, where there are only four seats, there is less space, since the tarpaulin roof is folded there. The weight gain comes from additional body reinforcements and a robust roof mechanism.
The convertible-like crossover is indeed a bit unusual, the seat is higher and the entry is more comfortable than regular convertibles, while the open roof has enough fresh air to circulate in the lungs and the sun warms the skin. The roof opens in nine seconds, it takes two seconds longer to close, and both operations can be performed by the driver at speeds up to 30 km / h.by simply pressing a switch on the center console, because everything else is the work of an electrified mechanism.
In short, quick and easy enough to open or close during short stops at traffic lights. The tarpaulin roof is sound and heat insulated, but in the cabin there is still too much noise from the road from somewhere behind, and it is pleasant to drive with an open roof above expectations, without excessive swirling of air, even if there is no windshield behind. There are no technical means, such as an air streamer and the like, so the air conditioner does a good job, which quickly heats up and cools the cabin even with the roof open.
Space comfort is intended mainly for the driver and front passenger, for the passenger who has to wade into the rear seats (through the folding backrests), it is significantly less, but for shorter routes it will still be bearable. Even the 284-liter trunk and high cargo edge are not quite a voluminous miracle.although additional space can be obtained by folding the rear seat backrests. By comparison, a typical T-Roc holds between 445 and 1.290 gallons of luggage.
The familiar 1,5 kilowatts (110 PS) 150-liter four-cylinder petrol engine. The gear ratios are also long, which I find great for a relaxed ride at low revs.
For short-term acceleration, the engine allows the use of torque in the range of 1500 to 3500 rpm, and with more dynamic driving, the transmission partially reduces the liveliness of the driven machine.... When shifted to a higher power, the engine quickly picks up maximum power in the range of 5000 to 6000 rpm, but the gas mileage remains within acceptable limits. On a standard loop where we were driving on a country road, a stretch of highway and in the city, we aimed at 7,4 liters per 100 kilometers.
Moderate driving allows full spontaneous steering wheel control, providing sufficient precision and feedback.... However, when I started to turn it a little more into corners, hoping for better driving dynamics, I felt that the almost hopeless understeer car showed its limits relatively quickly (the extra weight and distribution are only a little known). It justifies itself by a rather mild reaction to uneven roads, so the level of passenger comfort is almost excellent.
Those familiar with the regular T-Roc know that there is too much hard plastic inside and it looks a lot like a convertible, although the dashboard has been enriched with body-colored accessories. The counters are half-digitized and above all well transparent.and in unfavorable sunlight, the 8-inch communication screen becomes almost useless.
A settings selector that does not follow any recognizable logic and contains some settings that are completely redundant is also worth criticizing. On the other hand, the microphone in the speakerphone filters out enough background sounds to allow phone calls even with the roof open, at least at highway speeds.
The T-Roc without it looks more like a convertible than an SUV, so I can't imagine a gray-haired gentleman wearing a hat or taking a drive. Previously, a young woman, dressed in the style of Jackie Kennedy Onassiss, takes him ashore with her. Another (albeit really different) from cars built for recreation and entertainment.
Text: Matyazh Gregorich
T-Roc Cabrio 1.5 TSi Style (2020)
Basic data
| Sales: | Porsche Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Test model cost: | 33.655 € |
| Base model price with discounts: | 29.350 € |
| Test model price discount: | 33.655 € |
| Power: | 110kW (150 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | e.g. p |
| Maximum speed: | 205 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 5,5l / 100km |
| Guarantee: | 2 years general warranty with no mileage limitation, up to 4 years extended warranty with 160.000 3 km limit, unlimited mobile warranty, 12 years paint warranty, XNUMX years rust warranty. |
| Systematic review | 30.000 km / 24 |
Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)
| Regular services, works, materials: | 1.178 XNUMX € |
|---|---|
| Fuel: | 7.400 XNUMX € |
| Tires (1) | 1.228 XNUMX € |
| Loss of value (within 5 years): | 21.679 XNUMX € |
| Compulsory insurance: | 3.480 XNUMX € |
| CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO + | 5.545 XNUMX ( |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Buy up | € 40.510 0,41 (km cost: XNUMX) €) |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - turbocharged petrol - front mounted transversely - displacement 1.498 cm3 - maximum output 110 kW (150 hp) at 5.000-6.000 rpm - maximum torque 250 Nm at 1.500-3.500 rpm / min - 2 camshafts in the head (chain) - 4 valves per cylinder - common rail fuel injection - exhaust gas turbocharger - charge air cooler. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | engine-driven front wheels - 6-speed manual transmission - 7,0 J × 17 wheels - 215/55 R 17 tires. |
| Capacity: | top speed 205 km/h - acceleration 0-100 km/h np - average fuel consumption (ECE) 5,5 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 125 g/km. |
| Transportation and suspension: | convertible - 4 doors - 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, coil springs, three-spoke wishbones, stabilizer bar - rear axle shaft, coil springs, stabilizer bar - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc brakes, ABS, rear wheel electric parking brake (switch between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, electric power steering, 2,7 turns between extreme points. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.524 kg - permissible total weight 1.880 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake: 1.500 kg, without brake: 750 kg - permissible roof load: np kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 4.268 mm - width 1.811 mm, with mirrors 1.980 mm - height 1.522 mm - wheelbase 2.630 mm - front track 1.546 - rear 1.547 - ground clearance 11.2 m. |
| Inner dimensions: | longitudinal front 890-1.120 mm, rear 675-860 - front width 1.490 mm, rear 1.280 mm - head height front 940-1.020 950 mm, rear 510 mm - front seat length 510 mm, rear seat 370 mm - steering wheel diameter 50 mm – fuel tank XNUMX l. |
| Box: | 284 |
Our measurements
| T = 21 ° C / p = 1.063 mbar / rel. vl. = 55% / Tires: MIchelin Premacy 4/215 R 55 / Odometer status: 17 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 10,5 with |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 15,3 years ( 128 km / h) |
| Maximum speed: | 205km / h (WE.) |
| Fuel consumption according to the standard scheme: | 7,4 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 130 km / h: | 57,9m |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 34,9m |
| AM table: | 40,0m |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear | 60dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 6rd gear | 67dB |
Overall rating (461/600)
Not to mention why Volkswagen did it in the first place, the T-Roc Cabriolet is an interesting car with a youthful design that you won't go unnoticed in. It's also more useful than, for example, a Golf convertible, but it's true that it probably won't reach those sales figures.
Cab and trunk (76/110)
The tarpaulin-roofed T-Roc is meant to be an everyday car, so it's roomier and more practical than classic convertibles.
Comfort (102
/ 115)There is no question of the spaciousness of the front part of the passenger compartment, and the compactness of the rear part and the minus space in the trunk are due to the folding roof.
Transmission (59
/ 80)Engine choices are limited to two gasoline engines, and the powerful 1,5-liter four-cylinder is better than the one-liter three-cylinder. The chassis is perfectly removed for stability and comfort.
Driving performance (67
/ 100)The convertible crossover is not a racing car, although the driver on the steering wheel has very accurate information about the contact of the wheels with the road surface.
Security
Many active safety features are already standard, but the list of optional accessories is quite extensive.
Economy and environment (73
/ 80)The engine with a two-cylinder shutdown system provides lower gas mileage and thus lower emissions at low loads.
Driving pleasure: 3/5
In this convertible, you'll also be happy to turn into a derelict regional, but the idea behind this model is a relaxed and enjoyable trip up the stairs without it, rather than an aggressive search for the perfect line.
We praise and reproach
bright appearance
powerful enough engine
comfortably tuned chassis
fun ride with an open roof
cramped rear seats
truncated luggage space
poor sound insulation
