What is essentially going to be Volkswagen’s take on sister brand Seat’s Arona, the T-Cross will slot in below the T-Roc and derive a number of touches from the T-Cross Breeze concept shown in Geneva two years ago, with the underpinnings being the MQB A0 platform used by the Polo.
Based on the single rear sketch, the T-Cross features a wraparound style taillight separated by the centrally placed Volkswagen badge, faux rear diffuser, a subtle black boot spoiler, silver rails, flared wheel arches and Touareg derived alloy wheels.
Compared with the recently spied prototype, the front-end sketch is more Touareg focused with the same grille and headlights, chunky fog lights integrated into flanks of the front bumper and a side profile not dissimilar to that of the Polo.
Although no images of the interior were revealed, the T-Cross will likely draw inspiration from the Polo, in that it will boast the same assortment of in-car tech such as the Active Info Display instrument cluster, choice of infotainment systems with smartphone integration and a wide range of driver assistance and safety features.
Like with the Arona and Polo, the T-Cross’ engine line-up will likely be carried over and consist of a 1.0 TSI with outputs of 70kW or 85kW, the 110kW 1.5 TSI Evo, a 1.6 TDI producing either 70kW or 85kW and even the Polo GTI’s 147kW 2.0 TSI that could see the possible expansion of the iconic performance moniker, despite this being rejected last year by Volkswagen CEO Herbet Diess.
On lower spec models, the T-Cross will come fitted as standard with a five-speed manual gearbox, with a six-speed expected on higher output models. A seven-speed DSG will serve as the self-shifting option, with drive likely to go to the front wheels only in an attempt to save costs.
With Volkswagen having announced that it will skip the Paris Motor Show in October, the T-Cross will not mostly likely make its debut in the run-up to the French showpiece.
