Ian Lamming takes the lid off the VW T-Roc Cabriolet
IT’S a sad fact of life that as we get older we get thicker in the middle, stiffer in the joints, less bendy and this influences our choice of car.
When I look back to the days of being a young buck, or at least the nearest thing I could manage, there was only one sort of car for me – a sports car.
Only then did I feel alive, connected to the road, exhilarated and any other genre felt numb by comparison. For the maximum effect the sports car was even better if it came with a removable roof for that unlimited headroom and wind in your hair feeling.
Moving three decades on some things have changed – but others remain the same. So the last sports car I drove felt cramped and uncomfortable. The ride was too hard, the noise and low set driving position tiresome. It left me feeling that I was too old for this game and I probably am.
But that’s not to say I’ve given up on the pursuit of exhilaration or the love of open air motoring. If only someone made an open top SUV – oh look they do.
Thank you VW for recognising the needs of the old dogs who continue to have plenty of life in them.
Cabriolet comes in the form of a soft-top T-Roc, which is a great choice as the model is a nifty car to drive.
Open the door and you have a seat at the perfect hip height and a driving position that benefits from SUV loftiness. There is also a spacious, practical, accommodating cabin with familiar tech and comfortable surroundings. All good.
But remove the canvas lid and memories of motoring from yesteryear come flooding back; there’s nothing like driving with the hood down.
Whether you opt for the torquey 115PS 1.0 three cylinder petrol the 150PS 1.5 litre or the fire-breathing 300PS 2.0, there is plenty of performance to whet your appetite. House this in a rigid bodyshell which is free from scuttle shake and the T-Roc feels confident and well planted on the road.
Sharp steering with plenty of feedback offers rapid helm responses and makes the cabriolet a hoot to drive, its agility and spirited performance providing the perfect mix.
Cabriolet looks smart too. With the roof down there’s nothing to interrupt the waistline right from the windscreen to the attractive rear end, it looks beautifully proportioned, squat and purposeful. Short overhangs and decent size alloys add to the sporty looks which will be appreciated by men and women buyers alike.
Inside continues to be a traditional blend of VW plastics and trim, recognisable over the decades and excellent touch screen infotainment, including satnav.
I’ve always enjoyed the T-Roc for its fun nature and funky appeal. The Cabriolet makes a great car even better and with the roof down allows you to feel young again.
Fact File
Engine: VW T-Roc Cabriolet
Engines: 1.0 – 2.0
Power: 115PS – 300PS
0-62mph: 10.1 – 4.9 secs
Top speed: 116mph – 155mph
Combined MPG: 55.4 – 38.7
Transmission: six-speed manual – 7spd DSG auto
CO2 g/km: 117 – 193
Price: from £30,900.00
