"Trying to localise compact SUV in India", says VW executive

To be based on the VW T-Cross Breeze concept.

In an interaction with Autocar India, Mr. Juergen Stackmann, member of the board of management, Volkswagen for sales, marketing and after-sales, stated that the company was "in the process of trying to localise the compact SUV in India". Mr.Stackmann was referring to VW's reported Polo-based SUV, which is expected in 2018.

According to the Autocar India report, the compact SUV will be based on the next-generation VW Polo's MQB A0 platform. On the design front, the compact SUV is expected to be inspired by the VW T-Cross Breeze concept which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show this year.

In April this year, it was reported that the VW Polo-based SUV had started undergoing road-tests as well. The T-Cross Breeze concept measured 4,133 mm in length, 1,798 mm in width, 1,563 mm in height, and 2,565 mm in wheelbase, and the production model is expected to have similar dimensions. The concept was powered by a 1.0-litre TSI turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that developed 110 PS (109 hp) and 175 Nm of torque.

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According to reports, VW will use the above-mentioned engine when the T-Cross Breeze enters production within 24 months from now. For the Indian market, it will also receive the 1.5-liter TDI four-cylinder diesel engine capable of 110 PS and 250 Nm of torque, paired to 5-speed manual and 7-speed DSG automatic transmissions.

[Source: AutocarIndia]