Volkswagen is crossing all the Ts with the latest addition to its ever-expanding SUV range, the T-Cross. With its combination of casual style, refined practicality, and extreme cost-effectiveness this small crossover is aimed at the young – and the young-at-heart, and it will reach South Africa later next year.
Volkswagen is on a major global SUV T-offensive that started in 2016 with the latest Tiguan and the seven-seater Tiguan Allspace. They were followed last year by the compact T-Roc and the Chinese-only Terramont (sister model of the seven seat Atlas, developed for the USA), with the Tanoak pick-up, the new Touareg flagship SUV – and the T-Cross urban crossover – launched this year. This means that with the launch of the fully electric ID. CROZZ SUV, set for 2020, Volkswagen will offer one of the world’s largest SUV ranges, covering practically all segments.
The new SA-bound T-Cross will be manufactured with the Polo in the Volkswagen factory in Navarra, Spain, and is the brand’s answer to urban crossovers such as the Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Creta, Nissan Qashqai, and Suzuki Vitara. According to Volkswagen its latest model in the A0-segment based on the MQB platform of the Polo is practical, cool, and versatile with an eye-catching appearance.
A broad grille with integrated headlights and dominant bonnet highlights the Volkswagen SUV family affiliation of the T-Cross, and the side view is dominated by two horizontal character lines that form a muscular shoulder and culminate in a reflective band that spans the rear framed by a black trim panel. At 4.11 metres the T-Cross is shorter than the T-Roc, but slightly longer (by 54 mm) and higher (at 1.56 metres by 112 mm) than the Polo and with a 2.56 metre wheelbase there is plenty of room for up to five people. The luggage compartment holds between 385 and 455 litres and a sliding and folding rear bench seat, transforms the T-Cross into a small van with a flat cargo area of up to 1,281 litres.
Trendy interior
The interior of the T-Cross is extremely spacious and can be adapted to meet a range of requirements. The rear bench seat can move forward or back by up to 14 cm and the backrest can be split 60:40 and either fully or partially folded down. The large-format dash pads correspond in colour and structure to the seat materials, the steering wheel clasp, painted central console, platinum grey trim colour, and the exterior finishes, giving the interior a cool, sporty look. The Life and Style equipment lines also offer 3D décor for the dash pad, two-tone seat surfaces, and colour-coordinated wing mirrors and wheels.
Initially, the T-Cross will be available with three TSI petrol-turbo and a TDI turbocharged diesel engine. The two 1.0 TSI three-cylinder petrol mills deliver either 70 kW or 85 kW and the 1.5 TSI four-cylinder engine produces 110 kW. A 1.6 TDI four-cylinder engine with 70 kW completes the range, and the engines are coupled with a five- or six speed manual gearbox or seven-speed DSG transmission.
The T-Cross is equipped with an encompassing range of safety features normally reserved for larger vehicles and a wide array of driver assist systems. It also has a high level of networking and connection systems, including up to four USB ports and inductive wireless charging. It can be customised and upgraded with optional extra equipment and several attractive packages. The local model line-up and pricing of the T-Cross will be revealed closer to the local date of launch.
– Paul van Gass
