India-bound VW T-Cross spied in long wheelbase spec

27/09/2018 - 09:16 VW T-Cross, Volkswagen Yatharth Chauhan

The VW T-Cross, which is about to become the smallest SUV in Volkswagen's global lineup, has been spied by Chinese publication auto.caijing. The model will make its public debut 25 October 2018. The company is readying at least two different versions of the T-Cross, and the unveiling is reported to take place in three locations this year - Germany, Brazil and Chile.

The VW T-Cross for emerging markets will have a 9 cm longer wheelbase than the EU-spec model. — The VW T-Cross will have a longer wheelbase and look less like a CUV in emerging markets. For India, there will be platform-level changes to meet the price expectations.

The European version of the Volkswagen T-Cross will be showcased in Germany. It will have a wheelbase of 2,560 mm. The model that will be unveiled in Brazil and Chile will have a 2,650 mm wheelbase. Both versions will be underpinned by an updated version of the MQB A0 platform. Both the models will offer practical cabins with sliding seats that can be folded to achieve a flat floor.

Days after its public debut, the larger version will be showcased at the Sao Paulo auto show in early-November, and in China at the Guangzhou motor show in mid-November.

Both the versions of the VW T-Cross will offer a long list of equipment, which will include an Active Info Display, 8-inch touchscreen for the infotainment unit, a brake pads drying system, traction control, Electronic Differential Lock (XDS), and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. That said, the India-spec SUV is likely to miss out on some of these features in the interest of competitive pricing.

The European VW T-Cross is expected to be available with four engine options - 1.0 L TSI petrol, 1.0 L TGI petrol, 1.5 L TSI Evo petrol and 1.6 L TDI diesel. Transmission options are likely to include a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, or 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. The Brazilian model will be sold with 1.0-litre and 1.4-litre TSI flex-fuel motors with a 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions.

Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen India has told IAB that the India-bound T-Cross won't look much like the European-spec T-Cross CUV. — VW is testing the T-Cross with clever camouflage, dressing up the SUV to resemble a Chery model.

Also See: 2019 VW Vento (facelift) - IAB Rendering

Skoda Auto India, which is leading the MQB A0 IN project, will launch its version of the T-Cross in the country. The small SUV would feature some styling cues from the Skoda Vision X SUV concept that was showcased earlier this year. Klaus-Dieter Schurmann, Skoda CFO, has said that the company won't reduce the SUV's overall length to under 4-metres as sub-4-metre SUVs feel 'cheap'.

The India-spec VW T-Cross would follow by 2021, looking much different from the European and Chinese specifications Both the SUVs will be powered by a locally manufactured 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Transmission options will include a six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG. The India-spec VW T-Cross and its Skoda derivative will rival the Hyundai Creta, Maruti S-Cross, Ford Territory and the Nissan Kicks.

[Image source - auto.caijing.com.cn]