New Volkswagen T-Roc revealed – the £18,000 compact SUV will take on the SEAT Ateca, Nissan Qashqai and Audi Q2

THE new Volkswagen T-Roc has been revealed as it looks to muscle into the packed crossover market.

The VW - which will sit below the Tiguan and Touareg - is a jacked-up version of the Golf and a direct rival to the Audi Q2, SEAT Ateca and Nissan Qashqai.

The T-Roc name is derived from its family origins of Tiguan and Touareg coupled with the firm's belief it'll "rock" the segment.

Yes, really.

Design

The new model follows the trend of other recent small SUVs with a coupe-like roofline to give it a squat, sporty look.

That's furthered by the wide radiator grille, low profile headlights and chrome trim.

The rear roof lines have been designed to give a convertible Targa look - the variable roof colour making it appear to be an open top car.

Technology and practicality

It's packed with safety kit as standard including city emergency braking, lane assist and traffic jam alerts.

Inside, there's a glass-covered infotainment system - up to eight inches - as an option and a next generation version of VW's active info display - which comes with full digital dials and HD graphics.

The car is also set up for Apple Car Play and Android Auto plus the option for live weather, news, traffic, and car park info to be beamed into the cockpit.

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Audio specialists Beats has provided the in-car sound system.

The five-seater has 445-litre of boot space and this grows to 1,290 litres with the seats down making it one of the class leaders for space.

Performance

There are six diesel and petrol engines ranging from 113bhp to 187bhp with the most powerful also getting four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox as standard.

There's no word on an electric engine option but expect an eT-Roc or T-Roc GTE to follow next year.

Options list and price

The T-Roc also gets two-tone paint as standard with buyers able to customise the look both inside and out.

Trim levels Style, Sport and R-Line allow you to add kit like more comfortable seats, chrome exhausts, tinted windows and coloured brake calipers.

Prices are likely to start around £18,000 with sales books open from next month.