Volkswagen’s smallest SUV, the T-Cross, is likely to see a global unveil on October 25, 2018. While details of the European-spec T-Cross were already released, the company has now revealed more information about the slightly longer version that’s aimed initially at emerging markets like Brazil and China, with India likely to see local production a little later.
The T-Cross for emerging markets sits on Volkswagen’s slightly tweaked MQB A0 platform and, as reported by us earlier, it gets a longer wheelbase than its European cousin. The model is 4,199mm long, 1,568mm high and has a 2,651mm long wheelbase. In comparison, the Hyundai Creta is slightly longer, at 4,270mm and higher, at 1,780mm; but it has a slightly shorter wheelbase, at 2,590mm. The T-Cross has better cabin room than the Creta and also comes with rear seats that can be moved fore and aft in order to liberate more cargo or legroom. The SUV comes with dedicated rear AC vents and dual USB ports for the second row. Its 373-litre cargo room can be increased to as much as 420 litres, with the second row moved forward. In contrast, the Creta has 400 litres of luggage space.
The SUV’s front styling is slightly different from its European counterpart, with subtle touches of chrome on the grille and on the tailgate. It has simpler LED daytime running lights, placed vertically, and higher trims are also expected to get full-LED headlamps.
On the inside, the car comes with ambient lighting, a 10.25-inch instrument display for higher trims, an 8.0-inch touchscreen and it will also have a dashboard and centre console design similar to the ones seen on the latest-gen Polo and Virtus sedan (neither of which is currently sold in India). The SUV’s also gets an optional interior package that allows buyers to select colour-coded bits for the dashboard and centre console.
As far as engines go, the South America-spec car will come with a 1.0-litre TSI petrol, a 1.4-litre TSI petrol and a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine. A choice between a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox will be available, depending on the engine selected.
What’s there for India?
While the above information is primarily for the model that will first be sold in South America and China, India will get a Skoda-badged SUV based on the T-Cross. The car for India will share multiple body panels, seats and interior bits, but will get its own exterior styling that will be similar to the Skoda Vision X SUV concept.
This new SUV will come to India only in 2020 and is expected to see competition from the Hyundai Creta, Renault Captur, Tata Harrier and the Nissan Kicks.
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