Volkswagen's all-important T-Roc SUV has been pushed back until August following an unexpected production delay caused by Australia's market-specific child seat anchorage points.
Only weeks after Volkswagen Australia opened pre-orders for the much-anticipated small SUV, a Volkswagen Australia spokesman confirmed to carsales.com.au overnight that the T-Roc's arrival had been pushed back from April until August.
The production setback will have no bearing on the introduction of the smaller T-Cross, the spokesman confirmed, which is also due in Australia in May.
"It’s due to a production delay caused by the unavailability of Australian market specific rear seat centre top tether child seat anchor points," VGA spokesman Paul Pottinger explained.
"This fixture is a uniquely requirement of Australian Design Rules, despite the standard fitment of ISOFIX points. Fitting a centre anchor point also requires an Australian market specific seat frame and moulded rear parcel shelf."
Customers who have already put down $500 deposits as part of Volkswagen's pre-order process have been contacted directly by the car-maker. Online pre-orders will still continue and those that take up the offer will still have earliest access to the T-Roc in Australia, it has been confirmed.
"The T-Cross launch proceeds as planned in May, so the brand will have its full SUV range in place, just a few months later than originally envisaged," Pottinger said.
The Volkswagen T-Roc shares its MQB platform, engine line-up and interior proportions with the Volkswagen Golf hatch and has been conceived as a rival for premium versions of small SUVs like the popular Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Kona and Nissan QASHQAI.
The Volkswagen T-Roc will initially launch in a high-specification 140TSI Sport variant, priced from $40,490 (plus on-road costs), before being joined by an entry version at a later date (details to be confirmed).
Customers can continue to be first in line to secure the T-Roc 140TSI Sport via a refundable $500 online deposit on the Volkswagen Australia website.