The first point to settle is this: the second-generation Volkswagen T-Roc with an internal-combustion drivetrain (including hybrids) is going to Autoeuropa, exactly as planned. Production is due to begin in the first half of this year.
Volkswagen T-Roc electric will be a different car altogether
The all-new, 100% electric T-Roc is still a few years away and will be built at Volkswagen’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.
Although it will share the T-Roc name, the electric Volkswagen T-Roc will not simply be an electric version of the combustion model. It will be a separate proposition because it will sit on a dedicated electric-vehicle platform.
A clear example of this strategy can be found in today’s Mini Cooper range: on the outside they look virtually the same, yet the combustion and electric Cooper models are based on different platforms.
SSP platform and the revised launch schedule
The future electric T-Roc will use the long-trailed SSP (Scalable Systems Platform). SSP is set to replace both MEB (the basis for the entire ID family) and PPE (used by models such as the Porsche Macan and Audi A6 e-tron).
Volkswagen originally intended to launch the first SSP-based model in 2026 (the Trinity project). However, amid the various issues that have hit Volkswagen over the past 4–5 years-structural challenges, software (which delayed launches), and electric-car sales below expectations-the introduction of SSP has been pushed back to 2028.
Even so, the SSP debut will not come with the electric T-Roc. Instead, it will be the next electric Golf. That is what Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen’s chief executive, announced at a recent event with employees in Wolfsburg.
The electric future of Wolfsburg
Many eyebrows were raised when Volkswagen confirmed the historic decision to move production of the iconic Golf from Wolfsburg to Mexico. The thinking behind that move is now much clearer.
Hall 54 in Wolfsburg-where the combustion Golf has been built-will be retooled to manufacture the new generation of SSP-based electric cars, specifically the Golf and the T-Roc. The Golf is planned for 2028, with the T-Roc arriving afterwards, possibly in 2029.
“This will establish Wolfsburg as the capital of our new class of compact electric models”.
- Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen
The targets are bold. Once production of both electric models reaches full stride, around 500 thousand vehicles a year are expected to come off Wolfsburg’s lines.
Does Autoeuropa have an electric model in its future?
Even though Autoeuropa will not build the electric Volkswagen T-Roc, the plant remains in contention to produce a new 100% electric Volkswagen.
This upcoming EV is expected to be the German brand’s cheapest electric car-priced at around €20,000-and it was confirmed at the same event, where the first teaser was shown.
For now it is being referred to as ID.1, although the final name has not yet been confirmed. What is known is that it is due to arrive in 2027. More details to follow:
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