Volkswagen confirms T-Roc convertible on the way

Volkswagen has teased a picture of a convertible version of its all-new T-Roc that will go on sale in the first half of 2020.

Set to rival the Range Rover Evoque convertible and the rumoured forthcoming BMW X2 drop-top, VW has announced that it has already invested some €80 million ($A126 million) to develop what it hopes will be a halo model for the T-Roc range.

Seen here in a single teaser sketch, the baby convertible crossover will come with two doors and a large fabric folding roof.

Inspired by the T-Cross Breeze concept that was shown at the 2016 Geneva motor show, Volkswagen has been toying with the idea of an SUV convertible for several years now, the German car-maker says.

It claims the small topless T-Roc will be just one of the 20 SUV variants and derivatives it plans to launch by 2020.

As well as a convertible, towards the end of 2017 Volkswagen will launch a smaller-still T-Cross SUV that sits on the MQB A0 platform -- the same architecture that currently underpins the Polo.

Meanwhile, in Australia, the regular T-Roc's launch has been delayed until 2020 over 'unforeseen global demand'.

Originally, the T-Roc was supposed to be here by early 2019.