Based on the Polo and due for launch here next month, the T-Cross is Volkswagen's smallest crossover and comes onto the market with the company's well-regarded three-cylinder petrol engine in its entry version.
It’s axiomatic that that a major part of trying to achieve domination in the world’s car industry is knowing that there are more ways than one way to skin a cat. And Volkswagen certainly is’nt short of ideas and cars that show how to get the maximum out of what comes up on the drawing boards in its design centres. The new T-Cross, VW’s new small crossover, is basically a Polo with attitude and height and it’s already been around as a car called the Seat Arona for almost a year.
Yet, it’s a new car for the VW range and another tilt at the phenomenally successful and profitable formula that is leaving the traditional family saloon in car manufacturers’ rear view mirror. And, apparently, this growth is only just beginning. Sales of crossovers (not to be confused with SUV’s) are predicted to double in the next few years.
Of course, the T-Cross offers more than a Polo. It’s longer higher for a start (a major attraction for many motorists, especially those with children) and it’s profile gives it a slightly more rugged presence. It also has a very practical sliding rear seat bench layout that allows you to move the seats forward and back together. The boot space can be extended greatly by folding the rear seats back.
The car comes with a choice of three engines, with the entry version having a three-cylinder petrol 1.0-litre unit producing 95hp. This is the same engine used already widely used in the VW Group for VW, Seat and Skoda cars. While it is not the most versatile or quiet engine over longer journeys, it is an ideal city engine that gives excellent runaround performance and economy. It’s a better engine than Ford’s similar Ecoboost engine and gives much better fuel returns. This version comes in at €22,495 – hardly a budget price. The same engine is also available with a 115hp output.
There will also be a 1.6-litre 115hp diesel, starting at €25,295.
The T-Cross the entry point is called ‘T-Cross’. This is the budget, no-frills version which has all the safety equipment, steel wheels and a smaller screen. However, VW does'nt expect to sell too many of these versions, based on recent customer feedback. It is followed by the ‘Life’ starting at €24,550, the ‘Style’starting at €26,795 and the‘R-Line’ starting at €27,995.
The ‘Life’ version has 16" alloy wheels, an 8"infotainment screen, App Connect, air conditioning, 2 USB interfaces and adaptive cruise control.
The slightly pricier ‘Style’ version gets 17" alloy wheels, LED headlights and a Chrome package, while the sportier R-Line model gains 17" Sebring wheels, an R-Line exterior package and optional 18" wheels and an R-Line interior package.
