We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time
The start point for the best source of fleet information |
Volkswagen has pulled the covers off its new T-Cross SUV.
The new model will become the smallest SUV in VW's line-up, below the T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg.
The brand has high hopes for the T-Cross, which it says it expects to become one of its 'top tier' sellers in the UK alongside the Polo supermini and Golf family hatch.
VW expects around half of the T-Crosses sold here to go to private buyers, with the rest set to be sold mainly through fleet channels.
At the model's unveiling in Amsterdam - held on the same day as launch events in Shanghai and São Paulo, reflecting global aspirations for the car - there was a clear emphasis on style, and appealing to young drivers.
However, VW is also aiming to offer substance behind the sparkle.
At 4,107mm long, the T-Cross is 127mm shorter than the T-Roc, and is also 31mm shorter than its VW Group sibling the Seat Arona, but this doesn't mean a lack of practicality, with VW claiming class-leading levels of luggage space.
At 385 litres, boot capacity in standard form, despite the T-Cross's supermini footprint, is already up on the Golf, but this can be extended further by sliding the rear seats forward by up to 140mm, creating a maximum capacity with the seats up of 455 litres.
If that's not enough space, folding down the T-Cross's rear seats extends capacity to 1,281 litres while a folding front passenger seat is also available.
With the seats back in place, there's a decent amount of space in the back for adult passengers, while up front the controls feel high quality.
In line with VW's targeting of young drivers, there are interior customisation options available, with striking colour schemes such as Energetic Orange (some of this applies to the exterior too, so drivers can have orange wheels if they so desire, along with contrasting roof and door pillars).
Interior equipment also includes VW's second-generation Active Info Display, while there are up to four USB ports to plug in devices - two at the front, two at the rear.
Wireless charging is optional, as is keyless entry, and start and light assist main-beam control.
Standard driver assistance systems will include autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, hill-start assist, lane assist and rear traffic alert, while adaptive cruise control, drowsiness detection and park assist will be available as options.
In the UK, the T-Cross will be petrol only at launch, via a single 1.0-litre powerplant with two possible outputs - 95 or 115hp.
Five or six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG automatic gearboxes will be on offer. All T-Crosses will be front-wheel drive.
Trim options in the UK will be S, SE, SEL and R-Line, although full specifications for each of these are yet to be announced.
Prices are also still to be confirmed, but are expected to start at around £17,000.
Prices and full specifications will be confirmed when orders open in the first quarter of 2019, with deliveries starting in the second quarter.
VW says a limited edition launch version of the T-Cross will also be available with orders opening in February, when full details of this model are will be revealed.
BusinessCar magazine ©2019
Business Car Magazine © 2020 | Business Car is part of NS Media Group.
