THESE are the first images of the new Volkswagen T-Roc compact SUV which has just had its world premiere on the shores of Lake Como in Italy.

On sale in the UK in December and likely to be priced from around £19,000 the T-Roc will be at the higher end of the booming market for crossover cars.

Alongside the SEAT Arona and the Skoda Karoq it sees the Volkswagen Group mounting a major offensive to lure SUV buyers.

Looking very stylish and upmarket, the T-Roc will have wide appeal and is being aimed at younger buyers who want a car that stands out.

Bright paint jobs with two-tone finishes will be a characteristic of the new T-Roc and the car will be available in three different roof colours - black, brown and white.

Inside it is right up to date with Volkswagen's One-Net app based connectivity set up as well as full smartphone hook ups.

On higher specification models, the T-Toc is fitted with an eight-inch glass finish touchscreen and will be available with a 300 Watt, eight-channel Beats sound system.

Another high tech feature is VW's Active Info instrument panel with its multi-mode graphical display.

Interior finishes are also on trend and the car can be had with a variety of colour themes in the cockpit with brown, blue, orange, yellow and grey themes available.

Volkswagen will be offering the T-Roc in two distinct set ups - one sporty, the other more comfort oriented.

The sportier versions will include the likes of aluminium foot pedals, red brake callipers and dark-tint rear windows.

As VW's smallest SUV the T-Roc is some 10 inches shorter than the popular Tiguan and the car will be available with a variety of engines, three diesel and three petrol plus the option of DSG semi-automatic transmissions and four-wheel-drive.

Measuring 13ft 8ins in length the T-Roc is similar in size to the VW Golf, although wider and taller creating a roomy cabin.

Luggage capacity ranges from 445 to 1,290 litres which makes the T-Roc very family friendly. Interior space for a compact SUV is also good, particularly in the back.

The T-Roc is based on the same MQB platform as the Golf and produced at Volkswagen's Setubal factory near the Portuguese capital of Lisbon where VW currently builds the Scirocco coupe and Sharan people mover.