New year cheer from Volkswagen

Volkswagen presented three new cars this week: the latest new Polo; a new Tiguan Allspace, a seven- or five-seat model to match the Skoda Kodiaq; and their new ‘super star’, the T-Roc.

Each will be a proper contender in the respective class and each comes with the respected Volkswagen build quality and drivability. That’s enough to suggest success for all three.

We have to start with the T-Roc. Already there is seems to be massive interest in it. From initial viewing and a short drive on Monday, it certainly makes an impression and could be one of the big successes for 2018. In fact, it is probably already an early contender for Car of the Year.

Built from the ground up it is sort of pitched in size between the Tiguan and other small SUVs. The result is quite special and is less cumbersome than larger SUVs and yet giving more interior and boot space the likes of the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 or the Opel Crossland X.

Three trim lines are available; T-Roc, Design and Sport. The Design model should be the better option amongst buyers with a retail price of €26,995. The entry level model is a 1.0 TSI 115hp Manual costs €24,750 followed by a 1.5 TSI 150hp DSG from €28,450. You can also have a 1.6 TDI 115hp Manual from €26,995 – orders at dealerships from April. A diesel 4WD and 4WD DSG will also be available then.

The Tiguan Allspace has been in the melting pot for a while and comes to Ireland on the back of demand for a bigger SUV with a choice of five or seven seats. Like its sister model from Skoda, this is a mighty big lump of a car. It loses nothing in looks considering its size and will meet the demands of bigger families who need the extra space and seats.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.