The Volkswagen T-Cross is due for a launch in India in 2020 and will come with some changes and customisation, especially for our market. We got a chance to take a close look at the all-new Volkswagen SUV that will be headed to our shores.
A first glance at the T-Cross confirms of its baby-Tiguan styling and gets references, like the square fog lamps to name a few, from the T-Cross concept shown earlier. It gets a large grille upfront with a VW logo in the centre flanked by LED headlamps and daytime running lights. The T-Cross’ squared off, upright stance makes it quite a looker and its large wheels, combined with a high ground clearance, make the SUV look very butch too. One of the cooler design bits on the T-Cross are the tail-lamps that are interconnected with each other and are enveloped in a gloss-black panel, giving it quite a signature look.
On the inside, the T-Cross is typically VW with its clean and well laid out design. One of the highlights of the SUV, and something that will make it to India, will be the all-digital instrument cluster. Just like the ones on Audis, they can be customised to show just the dials, the navigation or the maps with a whole bunch of information on it. It works very well in daytime and is very bright and clear to read. All in all, that’s quite a cool feature. The large touchscreen in the centre is well laid-out too and gets a cool user interface. Apple CarPlay and Android auto will be offered on the T-Cross along with multiple driving modes – Eco, Normal, Sports and a fourth customisable mode. Quality seems to be the defining feature in the interior, with all the knobs and buttons offering good haptic feedback all around.
While there might not appear to be a lot of space in the second-row of the T-Cross shown here, in India, the model will get a longer wheelbase and more legroom at the back, thanks to the modified MQB A0 IN platform for our market. The rear seats on the T-Cross will be adjustable and can be moved back and forth. Boot space on the European-spec T-Cross is 385 litres, which is quite adequate for a car of this size.
Under the hood, there are multiple engine options available abroad, but India will get a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder EVO TSI turbo-petrol engine under the T-Cross’ hood; this engine will churn out 130hp. Additionally, it will offer cylinder deactivation technology that will enhance the fuel economy by 10 percent. There will be no diesel engine on offer when the SUV makes it to Indian shores. On the whole, if priced well, the Volkswagen should take the fight to the likes of the Hyundai Creta, the Tata Harrier and the upcoming Kia SP2i SUV.
Volkswagen T-Cross SUV image gallery
Uday Singh
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Glenn Noronha
