Initially scheduled to have arrived in the second quarter, the T-Cross rides on the same MQB A0 platform as the Polo , and while Wolfsburg has confirmed that pricing would start ‘below R300 000’, it has now revealed both spec and technical details with final pricing only due later.
Measuring 4 199 mm and standing 1 584 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2 551 mm, the T-Cross is 182 mm longer and 123 mm higher than its hatch sibling, with Volkswagen claiming an overall improvement in cabin space, and a boot that can swallow between 377 and 455-litres of luggage, or up to 1 281-litres with the 60/40 split rear seat folded down.
Spec-wise, the T-Cross will be offered in three trim levels with the entry-level Trendline receiving items such as the 6.5-inch Composition Colour touchscreen infotainment system, 16-inch steel wheels, LED daytime running lights, heated and colour coded electric mirrors, Titanium Black seats, colour-coded door handles, electric windows all around, a Titanium Black instrument panel and carpets, tyre pressure monitor, ‘ceramique’ headliner, front and side airbags, height and lumbar adjustable front seats and drive fatigue detection.
Moving one up, the Comfortline swaps the steel wheels for 16-inch Belmont alloys, and further adds front and rear Park Distance Control, the Light and Sight Package, a leather wrapped multi-function steering, black roof rails, a front armrest, cruise control and front fog lights.
From the options list, the R-Line package adds a model specific bodykit together with 17-inch Manila alloy wheels, while other features include a Beats sound system, the Composition Media infotainment system with App Connect or the eight-inch Discover Media with satellite navigation, the 10.25 Active Info Display instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charger, keyless entry, folding electric mirrors and a removable towbar.
On the safety front, the Comfortline can be had with Park Assist including a reverse camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Front Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring.
At the range’s sharp-end, the Highline comes with the Composition Media and wireless charger as standard, but also adds 18-inch Cologne alloys, Climatronic air-conditioning, Driving Profile Selection and ‘comfort’ sport seats.
Options meanwhile include the R-Line pack with 18-inch Nevada alloys, the Discover Media system and Active Info Display, Beats sound system, the Design Pack with Energetic Orange accents, the same array of safety features optional on the Comfortline and seats finished in Titanium Black and Energetic Orange, a ‘ceramique’ headliner, black carpets and Titanium Black instrument panel.
Providing forward momentum, the T-Cross will initially be offered with a single engine, the familiar 1.0 TSI that produces 85kW/200Nm, and which is exclusively paired to a seven-speed DSG. Top speed is a claimed 193 km/h with 0-100 km/h taking 10.2 seconds, while fuel consumption is rated at 4.9 L/100 km.
Arriving towards the end of this year, Volkswagen will introduce the 1.5 TSI Evo motor to South Africa, which will become available in the bigger T-Roc due out next year. In T-Cross guise, the replacement for the long-serving 1.4 TSI punches out 110kW/250Nm with its transmission option still to be confirmed. A low-output version of the 1.0 TSI (70kW/160Nm) will be added during the first quarter of 2020, while the 70kW/250Nm 1.6 TDI seems unlikely for local introduction.
As mentioned, pricing will only be revealed closer to the local launch date.
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