Effectively a substitute for the European-focused T-Roc in China, the Tharu, which will be sold as the Tharek in South America, is the latest model to ride on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, and measures 4.45m long with a wheelbase of 2.69m, height of 1.63m and width of 1.84m.

Set to slot in between the T-Cross and Tiguan, the Tharu will go on sale in China next year followed by Tharek production commencing at Volkswagen’s General Pacheco Plant in Argentina from 2020, with power set to come from the 110kW 1.4 TSI used in the Tarok concept pick-up, mated to a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox. In China though, a more powerful 2.0 TSI will be offered outputting 140kW, and teamed to a seven-speed DSG with drive set to go to all four wheels.

With Volkswagen having confirmed the T-Cross for local availability next year and the T-Roc ruled out, the Tharu/Tharek could very well breach the gap if introduced, but don’t expect this to be soon as it appears to be a left-hand drive only model.