Kariega – The new Volkswagen T-Roc will launch in South Africa in second half of 2026.
Together with the Taigo, T-Cross, Tiguan, Tayron and Touareg, the T-Roc is a member of the Volkswagen T-SUV family. Positioned between the more compact Taigo and the larger Tiguan, the T-Roc has not only become one of the most successful Volkswagen models since 2020, but also one of the Group’s best-selling models year-on-year. Now in its second generation, the five-seater SUV all-rounder has the potential to further build on its position within the brand, the Group and the wider competitive environment.
Top-down technology. Following on from the latest Tiguan (debut in 2024) and Tayron (debut in 2025), the new T-Roc is the third Volkswagen SUV to be based on the latest stage in the evolution of the modular transverse matrix: the MQB evo. And that’s what sets it apart. Thanks to the MQB evo, the T-Roc brings a new level of technology to the compact SUV segment. It adopts numerous “top-down” systems from the larger Tiguan and Tayron and has the same quality as these Volkswagen models. The new T-Roc is also a pioneer in terms of sustainability: Around 20 per cent of all plastics in the vehicle are made from recycled materials, which is equivalent to a weight of up to 40 kg. The T-Roc is the first Volkswagen to achieve such a high proportion of recycled materials.
Some important extra millimetres. The ideal ratio between the compact exterior dimensions and the superior five-seater and thus fully family-friendly interior is one of the reasons why more than two million units of the first-generation T-Roc were sold worldwide. And this ratio has become even better in the new T-Roc. At 4,373 mm, the second generation is exactly 122 mm longer than its predecessor; the wheelbase has also increased and spans 2,631 mm (+28 mm) between the alloy wheels, which now measure up to 20 inches (previously up to 19-inches). This increase benefits the space available inside the T-Roc.
Design statement. The elongated proportions also have a positive effect on the even more dynamic design. The predecessor already had its own hallmark design style. These stylistic features include a striking silver stripe that extends from the A-pillar to the D-pillar. The designers called this a “hockey stick” due to its shape. Another archetypal feature was the muscular and powerful shoulder section above the rear wheel arch. The lighting design also plays an essential role in the new interpretation of the T-Roc. The LED headlights at the front are entirely new. The optional innovative IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights and the standard LED Plus headlights are linked by a narrow strip of LEDs and the illuminated VW logo. The rear has also been completely redesigned with its full-length LED strip, which is also illuminated in the middle where it also features a red illuminated VW logo.
Interior bridges the gap to the next class up. The new T-Roc also takes a big step forward in its interior, breaking the conventional class boundaries with its high-quality materials, progressively clean design and innovative technologies. A visual and tactile feature of this leap in quality is the newly developed fabric structure on the surface of the dashboard. The new T-Roc also adopts a number of details from the larger Tiguan and Tayron – such as the latest evolution of the driving experience. Another novelty in this class is the optional windscreen head-up display for the T-Roc. Features such as the new Digital Cockpit Pro in large rectangular format are available for user-oriented technologies.
Five-seat all-rounder. An electrically adjustable 14-way ergoActive seat with massage function will be available in the R-Line. Volkswagen has thus transferred a feature from the mid-range and luxury class to the T-Roc segment. Seating comfort in the new T-Roc is now in a league of its own. In addition, the designers have also ensured that there is plenty of space for five passengers’ worth of luggage: Thanks to longer length, the luggage compartment volume has now increased by 30 litres to 475 litres when loaded up to the height of the rear seat backrests.
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Marnus Broodryk – The Beancounter: Marnus Broodryk was a self-made millionaire by the age of 24, without taking on a single cent of debt. While completing his articles he also studied via correspondence. Although it was a tough four years, it enabled him to have his degree and articles completed by 22, then he moved to Johannesburg. He launched his revolutionary accounting business called The Beancounter, an accounting practice that would help SMEs build bigger, more sustainable and profitable businesses. This completely disrupted the accounting industry, altering the way the industry operates. His business is now worth more than R1 billion and continues to grow from strength-to-strength. He became one of the youngest investors on M-Net\’s Shark Tank.