Rain, rain go away – T-Roc Cab is on its way

WITH all the wet weather we have been experiencing of late you wouldn’t expect a carmaker to be even considering bringing out a new model with a fold down soft-top, but it seems us ‘soft-in-the-head’ Brits just love wind (and rain) in the hair motoring.

Volkswagen are to breathe fresh air into the SUV segment with the world premiere of the new T-Roc Cabriolet, an open- top version which gets its official presentation at the Frankfurt Motor Show from 12 to 22 September with its launch due to take place in the spring next year.

Following the tradition of the Beetle and the Golf, the T-Roc Cabriolet likewise has a classic soft top. Its standard fully automatic roof opens in just nine seconds and can open and close even while the car is in motion, at speeds of up to 18mph. The soft top unlocks and locks electromechanically.

Travellers in the T-Roc Cabriolet are well guarded by the roll-over protection, which can be extended behind the rear seats. The system springs upwards in the area of the rear headrests within a fraction of a second, in response to exceeding a defined lateral acceleration or vehicle tilt. In addition, the T-Roc Cabriolet is designed with a reinforced windscreen frame and other structural modifications in order to ensure maximum safety.

Customers can choose between the ‘Style’ and ‘R-Line’ equipment lines. The Style specification package embodies a focus on design and individual flair. The R-Line specification package is resolutely sports-oriented and incorporates the contents of the R-Line exterior and interior packages, which are offered as options for the T-Roc, as fixed elements. Sporty character is further emphasised by such features as standard fog lights, sports-tuned running gear and the progressive steering with speed-dependent steering control.

Two efficient petrol turbo engines with an output of 114 bhp and 148 bhp respectively are available for the front-wheel drive T-Roc Cabriolet with a manual six-speed gearbox as standard and a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox available as an option.

No smoke without fire

OVER 70 per cent of motorists would like to see vaping banned in cars according to a new survey by Motorpoint.

The web-based poll from the UK’s leading independent car retailer found 73 per cent of drivers would like to see use of the hand-held devices outlawed on the roads. A total of 350 people took part in the survey.

Although vaping behind the wheel is not technically illegal motorists could face prosecution for driving without due car and attention when holding the devices, resulting in a potential fine of up to £2,500 together with penalty points, and in some cases, disqualification from driving. Smoking in cars is also legal although since October 2015 it has been made illegal to smoke in a car carrying anyone under the age of 18.