VW plans softtop version of T-Roc

FRANKFURT -- Volkswagen brand will boost its presence in the fast-growing small SUV segment in Europe with a convertible version of its T-Roc.

VW says the T-Roc Cabriolet, which has a softtop roof, is the first convertible in the segment.

The convertible will debut at next month's Frankfurt auto show ahead of its launch in Europe in the first quarter of 2020.

VW says there are no plans to sell the T-Roc in the United States.

The T-Roc Cabriolet features a high seating position combined with the unique driving experience of an open-top car, VW said in a statement.

The convertible's roof opens in nine seconds and can open and close even while the car is traveling at speeds of up to 19 mph. The soft top unlocks and locks electromechanically, VW said.

VW will offer two gasoline engines, a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine producing 115 hp and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 150 hp.  A manual six-speed gearbox comes as standard, but a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox is also available as an option for the larger powertrain.

The T-Roc Cabriolet will have VW's next-generation Infotainment system (MIB3), which allows the vehicle to be permanently online -- enabling it to offer new services and functions.

VW says information can be displayed on the 8-inch infotainment system screen, which can be used in combination with the 11.7-inch Active Info Display, creating what the automaker describes as a 'Digital Cockpit.'

Last year, in its first full year of sales,VW sold 143,319 units of the T-Roc in Europe, according to JATO Dynamics. That made it the No. 4 seller in the small SUV/crossover segment after the Peugeot 2008 (No. 3), the Dacia Duster (No. 2) and the best seller, the Renault Captur.

With a 37 percent increase in sales to 1.83 million, the small SUV/crossover segment outpaced growth in all other sectors except electric cars in 2018.