Production of Volkswagen’s two-door, convertible crossover, the T-Roc Cabriolet, began this week at VW Group’s Osnabrück plant, where the Porsche Cayman is also built.

The T-Roc Cabriolet is the soft-top variant of the successful T-Roc crossover, which was added to the Volkswagen brand product portfolio in November 2017. The new convertible with SUV genes offers a striking design, elevated seating position and high level of functionality. Open-air enjoyment starts at the press of a button, with the soft top opening in just nine seconds, at speeds up to 19mph.

With the hard roof absent, passenger protection is taken care of by an extendable rollover protection system that deploys behind the rear headrests if the car senses that it’s about to tip over.

Exact specs have yet to be announced, but VW says that the T-Roc Cabriolet will have the option of a new infotainment system that’s permanently connected to the internet, accessible through an infotainment screen up to 8.0 inches in size. There’ll also be the option of an 11.7-inch digital instrument panel, in place of traditional dials.

Two trim levels are promised – the Style and the R-Line – offering a design-focused look or something a bit sportier in terms of exterior look, as well as sports-tuned suspension, fog lights and a different steering system. Despite the raised ground clearance, the T-Roc Cabriolet isn’t designed for off-roading, so comes only as front-wheel drive.

Power will come from a choice of two turbocharged petrol engines. A three-cylinder, 1.0-litre unit has 115hp, while a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine has 150hp. The former engine comes with a manual six-speed gearbox, while the latter has the option of a seven-speed, DSG gearbox – WG.