New 2026 Volkswagen T-Roc priced from £31,620

On current planning, the new T-Roc will be the final new combustion model Volkswagen launches, but Schäfer said the firm’s powertrain strategy is flexible, meaning more could follow.

“Let’s see,” he said when asked if all future unveilings will be electric. “For now, [the T-Roc] is the final totally new vehicle that we will put on a new platform on the combustion side. But with everything that’s changing around us, when you look at the EU… Will there be an end of combustion engines in 2035, yes or no? And what are the thresholds on the way? Customers will decide, and then if the demand is there, you will have to think about new vehicles, but for now there is no plan.”

Inside, the T-Roc matches the Tiguan and Golf with a 10in digital instrument display, a 12.9in infotainment touchscreen, a head-up display and a healthy smattering of physical controls, including Volkswagen’s new multifunction digital rotary dial in the centre console, which can adjust the drive mode, audio volume or interior settings.

As part of Volkswagen’s ongoing drive to enhance perceptions of its interiors, there has also been a focus on improving “the quality and how it mates together”, said Wallburg. “There are no big gaps: everything is seamless.”

This emphasis extends to making the car as intuitive to operate as possible, added Wallburg: “Another ‘quality’ in our thinking is to make it a bit more understandable by using design elements. To make it more understandable for the customer, you see something and understand it automatically. This is something we want to focus on.”

The T-Roc will be launched with a choice of four trim levels – base, Life, Style and R-Line – with various options and packages available on top.