VW T-Cross becomes a reality in 2018

Volkswagen is close to beginning their SUV onslaught in 2020 after revealing their plans for the new T-Cross, a ‘baby’ SUV set to rival the Nissan Juke. The new SUV is expected to arrive towards the end of the second quarter of 2018 after its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.

VW’s latest SUV product strategy is to have a total of 19 SUV’s on sale worldwide by 2020, which will make up an entire 40% of their global sales. The T-Cross will be the entry-level baby SUV and will sit below the T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg in VW’s SUV family.

The design language on the exterior of the T-Cross is expected to target a much younger and more youthful market, and since it will be based on the new Polo, the SUV will be available with an array of customization options, such as contrasting roof, wheel and interior options. The design will follow suit with the new VW Arteon and T-Roc, adopting the headlight integrated grille.

The interior will be available with fabric or leather seats, VW’s latest infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and the beautiful digital instrument cluster seen on the new Golf.

The T-Cross will be available with a range of different engine options. The 1.0-litre TSI engine, developing a total power output between 56kW and 86kW, will be mated to a five or six-speed manual gearbox, with a dual-clutch auto gearbox available on the higher spec models. Since the T-Cross platform is shared with the new Polo, a GTI option is a possibility with the 2.0-litre Turbo Petrol engine producing 147kW.

Unfortunately, the 4Motion all-wheel drive system is unlikely to feature on the Volkswagen T-Cross, all in an effort to reduce manufacturing costs.

Order books for the T-Cross should open towards the last quarter of 2018.