Do you think the new Volkswagen T-ROC will be any good?
I am not a huge VW Golf fan - great cars but overrated I have always thought. Will the T-ROC just be a "tall Golf"?
New VW T-ROC
T-Roc R is the only version likely to interest me. It won't be in the first wave of T-Roc launches and still hasn't been officially confirmed but all the rumours suggest that its highly likely, maybe in 12 months' time.
But 300bhp and 4WD in a compact 1500kg (at a guess) and up-to-the-minute (eg digital dash) designed package and probably with much the same interior space as a Macan sounds quite tempting. That sounds like my personal ideal drive on paper. Of course it won't have the cachet, DNA or build quality of a Porsche but some of the Macan foibles like the plethora of buttons and dated dash layout I wouldn't miss. Might be a tricky decision.
But 300bhp and 4WD in a compact 1500kg (at a guess) and up-to-the-minute (eg digital dash) designed package and probably with much the same interior space as a Macan sounds quite tempting. That sounds like my personal ideal drive on paper. Of course it won't have the cachet, DNA or build quality of a Porsche but some of the Macan foibles like the plethora of buttons and dated dash layout I wouldn't miss. Might be a tricky decision.
Golf R instead maybe?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
No longer part of the Porsche Family. Now enjoying a Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Macan S Diesel delivered Oct 6th 2016. http://www.porsche-code.com/PHI3WP95. Sold March 2018.
Macan S Diesel delivered Oct 6th 2016. http://www.porsche-code.com/PHI3WP95. Sold March 2018.
I'm on my second Golf R - stunning cars with 0-60 in sub 5 secs. Great value too! I've never thought of the Golf R as overrated or boring.
Current:
992 Turbo (July 23)
MG4 EV Trophy Long Range
VW Caravelle 6.1 4motion DSG
Suzuki Swift Sport
Previous Macan SD, Macan Turbo, Macan Turbo, 991.1 C4GTS coupe, 996 C4S coupe, Macan Turbo, 991.2 C4GTS coupe; 991.2 GT3; 992 C2S; 991.1 Turbo S
992 Turbo (July 23)
MG4 EV Trophy Long Range
VW Caravelle 6.1 4motion DSG
Suzuki Swift Sport
Previous Macan SD, Macan Turbo, Macan Turbo, 991.1 C4GTS coupe, 996 C4S coupe, Macan Turbo, 991.2 C4GTS coupe; 991.2 GT3; 992 C2S; 991.1 Turbo S
"Of course it won't have the cachet, DNA or build quality of a Porsche"
But as Porsche becomes more like the rest of the VAG group so far as similarity in floor pans, engines etc doesn't the cachet of Porsche start to disappear? It becomes a little like choosing beans at your local supermarket, do you pay the premium for a Heinz label, go for middle of the road Cross and Blackwell or go for Waitrose/Tesco/Lidl* own brand? After all they are all pretty much the same product but in a slightly different tin with different packaging.
Even the 911 is moving more towards "just another consumer good" with a premium label. It's only the GT models made by Porsche Motorsport that have significant amounts of pure Porsche DNA and we all know how difficult it is to get on the list to receive a new one of those. Otherwise what to go for? 911c2s or R8.
Whilst I am tied to keeping my old 997 as I think the new 911s are too much of a GT car as opposed to a sports car (albeit they are gorgeous to look at) I don't feel the same affinity to the Macan. Yes, it's a great car and I do love driving it but if the latest Q3/5, T-ROC, XC40/60 offer a similar experience then I won't feel obliged to go Porsche for the next family car.
(* delete as required!)
But as Porsche becomes more like the rest of the VAG group so far as similarity in floor pans, engines etc doesn't the cachet of Porsche start to disappear? It becomes a little like choosing beans at your local supermarket, do you pay the premium for a Heinz label, go for middle of the road Cross and Blackwell or go for Waitrose/Tesco/Lidl* own brand? After all they are all pretty much the same product but in a slightly different tin with different packaging.
Even the 911 is moving more towards "just another consumer good" with a premium label. It's only the GT models made by Porsche Motorsport that have significant amounts of pure Porsche DNA and we all know how difficult it is to get on the list to receive a new one of those. Otherwise what to go for? 911c2s or R8.
Whilst I am tied to keeping my old 997 as I think the new 911s are too much of a GT car as opposed to a sports car (albeit they are gorgeous to look at) I don't feel the same affinity to the Macan. Yes, it's a great car and I do love driving it but if the latest Q3/5, T-ROC, XC40/60 offer a similar experience then I won't feel obliged to go Porsche for the next family car.
(* delete as required!)
2017 - Macan GTS ~ now sold
2007 - 997.1 Turbo (Manual)
2021 - GR Yaris
2007 - 997.1 Turbo (Manual)
2021 - GR Yaris
I think it looks pretty good for the money. The boot was certainly reasonably sized.
Here's some photos from Frankfurt as I went to have a proper look.
Here's some photos from Frankfurt as I went to have a proper look.
Current Porsches: 991.2 GT3 RS
Previous Porsches: Macan x4 (one of each), Panamera x2, 996x2, 997x2, Cayenne S, Boxster S, Cayman S x2, Boxster Spyder, 991.1 Turbo S, 991.2 GT3 (manual), 718 Cayman GTS (PDK)
Others: way too many...
Previous Porsches: Macan x4 (one of each), Panamera x2, 996x2, 997x2, Cayenne S, Boxster S, Cayman S x2, Boxster Spyder, 991.1 Turbo S, 991.2 GT3 (manual), 718 Cayman GTS (PDK)
Others: way too many...