Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen’s CEO, confirmed that the T-Roc will be the last thermal car developed by the company. The 2025 Volkswagen T-Roc has been photographed for the first time, marking the beginning of the development process.
The test mule, based on a Volkswagen Golf, features modifications such as plastic “fenders” in wheel arches. Although it is not a prototype, it does not advance any design key. The new Volkswagen Tiguan is expected to debut soon, advancing some aesthetic keys of the second generation of the T-Roc.
The 2026 Volkswagen T-Roc small SUV has been spotted testing in Europe . It is expected to be the last new petrol vehicle from Volkswagen as they transition to electrification.
The latest spy images reveal a redesigned front grille and headlights, a smoother side profile, and a more angular rear windscreen.
The 2025 T-Roc will feature a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, carrying over from the current model. A plug-in hybrid version is also a possibility, as Volkswagen has expressed interest in offering hybrid variants of its core vehicles.
Volkswagen has officially confirmed the release of the new generation VW T-Roc for 2025, which is expected to be larger and feature updated styling and technology, with a range of powertrains including mild hybrids, and the discontinuation of the T-Roc Cabriolet.
The upcoming second-generation Volkswagen T-Roc is scheduled to debut in August, marking the introduction of Volkswagen’s new full-hybrid powertrain system.
This system, which allows for operation on petrol, electricity, or a combination of both, will be a first for Volkswagen in terms of a production car.
Despite the shift towards electrification, Volkswagen is investing in hybrid technology, driven partly by demand in markets like South America and China, as well as the unexpected resurgence of hybrid vehicles in the US.
The new T-Roc will be the first model to showcase this technology, with plans to extend it to other models like the Golf and Tiguan.
CEO Thomas Schäfer emphasizes the strategic importance of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and notes the versatility of this powertrain as which will be particularly useful in regions where there is a growing preference for HEVs.