NEW 2018 VOLKSWAGEN T-CROSS SUV REVEALED
The all-new Volkswagen T-Cross SUV to sit below the T-Roc, with the platform allowing for a plug-in hybrid version
This is our first glimpse at Volkswagen's new baby SUV, the T-Cross. The Citroen C3 Aircross rival will be revealed in full later in the year and make its public debut at September’s Paris Motor Show.
The official design sketch shows VW hasn't taken the Russian doll approach to the styling; the rear end features a lamp cluster that stretches across the full width of the boot lid. The proportions in the sketch are slightly exaggerated so the arch-filling alloys and chunky bumpers will be toned down for production. Recent spy shots of prototypes have shown the showroom model’s more restrained styling.
The T-Cross will play a huge role in VW aggressive SUV rollout helping lower the brand's price point, introduce cheaper running costs and style-focused design; it will sit beneath the T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg in VW’s line-up.
VW will use the all-new Polo as a base for the T-Cross, but because of its bigger focus on practicality, the newcomer will have slightly inflated proportions. Spy shots have also indicated that the baby SUV will be even taller than its in-house rival from SEAT, the Arona.
The chassis that will sit beneath the T-Cross (the same basic architecture that is used on everything from the Polo to the Passat saloon) means VW will offer the T-Cross with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, as well as the possibility of plug-in hybrid technology.
The core line-up will be based on VW’s new 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol, which will offer power outputs ranging from 75bhp to 115bhp. Five and six-speed manual boxes will be standard across most of the range, while a dual-clutch automatic transmission will be available on higher-spec models.
It’s unlikely that VW will introduce 4Motion all-wheel drive on the T-Cross due to the additional cost that this would pass on to the customer.
Still, there’s the possibility of a GTI version; VW boss Herbert Diess has previously announced that the GTI badge would be reserved for VW’s smaller cars, while the hotter R badge would only find its way to larger vehicles. Because the Polo and T-Cross will share the same platform, the new 197bhp 2.0-litre turbo from the latest Polo GTI would fit straight under the bonnet.
The T-Cross won’t be the first new VW SUV to arrive in 2018, because an all-new version of the flagship Touareg is set to be unveiled shortly. That car will be one of the most luxurious VWs ever, with an overhauled cabin featuring a completely digital dashboard and centre console.
We think this new baby SUV is going to be a hot seller and we're looking forward to it, especially is there will be a GTI version.