Volkswagen recently took the wraps off its smallest SUV, the T-Cross, with three simultaneous reveals at Amsterdam, Brazil and China. While the models revealed were top-spec trims, a lower-spec T-Cross has been seen for the first time on Brazilian roads.
The lower-spec SUV does not get any chrome trim on the grille, the headlights are simple halogen units instead of projector headlamps. There are no daytime running lamps either. The model also gets simpler and smaller 16-inch alloy wheels instead of the stylish 17-inch ones on the top-spec model. There is no chrome trim at the rear either, and this means the spoiler and bumper are all-black on this variant. The model seen was equipped with a 1.0 TSI petrol motor good for 128hp mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Higher trims will come with either a 1.6-litre petrol or a 1.4-litre TSI petrol mated to 6-speed automatic gearboxes.
On the inside, the lower-spec T-Cross won't get Volkswagen’s virtual cockpit setup and will make do with conventional gauges instead. It also does not get body-coloured bits that were seen on the higher variant.
At 4.19m long, the T-Cross for emerging markets gets more legroom at the back, along with sliding rear seats that can be moved fore and aft, depending on requirement.
The model sits on a modified version of Volkswagen’s MQB A0 platform. This platform will also spawn a Skoda derivative that will come to India before the T-Cross. The Skoda SUV bound for India will sit on similar underpinnings and will take on the likes of the Tata Harrier, Hyundai Creta, and the Nissan Kicks.