India-Bound Volkswagen T-Cross Details Revealed

Like Brazil and China, India will also get the bigger Virtus-based T-Cross in all likelihood!  

Volkswagen has revealed a few details and pictures of the near-series production Brazil-spec T-Cross. The new compact SUV is expected to have its world debut at three locations – Brazil, Europe and China – simultaneously on 25 October 2018. There will be two versions of the VW T-Cross compact SUV, wherein the one for Brazil and China will have the bigger wheelbase compared to the Euro-spec model. 

Sixth-gen Polo	Virtus

Although not confirmed, we believe that India will get the bigger T-Cross like the rest two developing markets as the Euro-spec SUV is a mere 54mm longer than the sixth-gen Polo (yet to be launched here). While the Euro-spec T-Cross is based on the new Polo, the bigger T-Cross is based on the Virtus (next-gen Vento/Polo sedan), as we reported in June this year. 

The Brazil-spec SUV, for instance, is over 90mm longer than the Euro-spec model. It is the distance between the two axles that has increased the most. Hence, the Brazil-spec SUV should offer more interior room than the European model. Here’s how the bigger T-Cross fares against the segment’s best-seller, the Hyundai Creta, dimensionally here. 

Pictured: Volkswagen T-Cross (Euro-spec)

The pictures revealed by Volkswagen in Brazil, just like it did in Europe recently, are of a camouflaged SUV. Despite being bigger, the styling of both the SUVs appears to be identical and inspired by the 2016 T-Cross Breeze concept that debuted at the Paris Motor Show. Volkswagen has now confirmed the T-Cross will have full-LED headlamps with DRLs, which was rather obvious after the Polo and Virtus. 

Pictured: Volkswagen T-Cross Interior Sketch    Other features that the T-Cross will offer include Volkswagen’s latest Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB) system with a glass-encased 8-inch screen coupled to BeatsAudio, a premium sound system sourced from Beats by Dr Dre, and a 10.25-inch Volkswagen fully digital instrument cluster called Active Info Display, as seen on the new  Polo and Virtus. 

Safety pack for the T-Cross will include six airbags, ESC (electronic stability control), traction control, hill hold assist along with ABS and EBD. Also on offer will be autonomous emergency braking and driver fatigue detector, which are likely to become mandatory in India in 2023.  

The India-spec Volkswagen T-Cross will be powered by a brand new, locally made 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol, which puts out 115PS and 200Nm, same as Europe. Transmission options will include both manual and dual-clutch automatic. The 1.0-litre TSI is also available with the Brazil-spec SUV, which puts 128PS with flex fuel (ethanol mix). There’s no clarity on the diesel engine for India as Volkswagen is rumoured to ditch its 1.5-litre TDI post BSVI emission norms in April 2020. The Euro-spec SUV, however, is powered by a 1.6-litre TDI. 

Stay tuned to CD for the India-bound Volkswagen T-Cross’ reveal later this month.