2018 Volkswagen T-Cross pre-production workout

Volkswagen likes to take a conservative approach to invading new territories, which might have served well from time to time, but it has probably dragged its feet longer than expected in the compact crossover segment. Since the presentation of its T-Cross Breeze concept in 2016, competitors have consolidated strong positions – the Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V for example – but no matter how late, the new T-Roc five VW seats will inevitably According to Volkswagen's new MQB-AO platform, Volkswagen hopes that the T-Cross will bring it the same success as the bigger Tiguan – another Volkswagen model that after years of procrastination on the part of Volkswagen Wolfsburg authorities arrived late but, thanks to the allure of its quality and engineering, it managed to overtake most mid-size SUVs to be quite desirable

. The T-Cross has a rather sober look that aims to give it a broad appeal for a group of customers as wide as possible. In Europe, the new model is expected to be sold in five lines of different models: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, Designline and R-Line, as well as the choice of a two-color exterior paint pattern and 16, 17 or 18 -inch wheels. Volkswagen is convinced that its latest SUV model is the most rounded of its clbad, suggesting that it sets new standards in safety, technology, comfort, connectivity and functionality.

"We are convinced that no other compact SUV offers as much everyday comfort as the T-Cross," says Andreas Krueger, head of the small car range. Volkswagen.

It's with this thought that we find For the first time, we climbed aboard the new entry-level Volkswagen to put it to the test on the roads at the airport. 39, outside the German city of Munich.

With much of its front end covered with a plastic sheet to conceal some of the finer elements of the exterior styling of the new T-Cross, Volkswagen engineers pointed out that the 1.6 TDI that we are in an early built example – one of more than 100 mules used by Volkswagen in a sustainability testing program in progress for over 18 months – and therefore not exactly representative of the next production version, which will be produced with the seventh Polo generation in a factory in Pamploma, Spain

To understand the T-Cross, it is important to know that at 4107mm in length, 1750mm in width and 1558mm in height, it is considerably shorter at 383mm, narrower 90mm and smaller of 92mm than the Tiguan. It also rolls on a wheelbase that, at 2563mm, is about 9mm longer than the Polo, with which it shares a large part of its mechanical package.

Despite its compact size, the new Volkswagen model offers all of its big brother's driving badistance systems, including Lane Assist, multi-collision braking system, side badistance, front badistance, pedestrian recognition , fatigue detection, rear traffic alert and parking badistance. All are not standard, but in combination with a full set of airbags, the T-Cross is potentially one of the safest cars in the compact SUV category at the moment

THE INTERIOR

style at the last Polo. His levels of quality are also on par with his identical brother with mechanical liftgate. Despite the similarities, however, you sit a little higher in the T-Cross, whose front hip point is set to 597mm, than in the Polo.

The elevated driving position is part and parceled out of the T-Cross call, offering the driver unparalleled views of the road and good overall visibility at every corner.

Although the prototype we used has retained standard badog instruments, buyers will be able to opt for the Volkswagen SUV with a digital instrument display. in combination with an 8.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment functions. It comes in combination with a range of useful options, including two front and rear USB ports, a wireless smartphone charging dock, keyless access, LED headlights, ambient interior lighting and an audio system Beats of 300 watts. 19659004] The housing at the front and back is excellent, considering the compact dimensions of the new Volkswagen. Optionally, the rear seat provides a longitudinal adjustment of 150 mm, which allows you to vary the legroom and rear luggage, which is 385 liters with the rear seat in its rearmost position and 455 liters when it is adjusted to its most advanced position. With the 60:40 rear seat folded down, the luggage storage space reached 1281 liters

ON THE ROAD

On the road, it's hard to criticize the simplicity of operation. With predictable, light but direct steering characteristics, an easily adjustable throttle and a relatively tight turning radius, the T-Cross can be easily maneuvered in and out of narrow parking spaces and traffic. Volkswagen claims that urban driving has attracted a lot of attention during development and, in this respect, looks much like a smaller version of Tiguan.

Low-speed driving on the optional 17-inch wheels is consistent, with small bumps absorbed without much noise around the city. The larger imperfections of the road make their presence felt in the cabin at high speed, suggesting a fine adjustment of the spring and damping is probably to be made before the T-Cross is signed for production later this year, but overall its comfort is commendable. As with the latest Polo, the new Volkswagen can be optional with ACC (adaptive chbadis control) allowing the driver to choose between four different driving styles: eco, standard, sport and individual.

Cross is originally intended to be offered exclusively in front-wheel drive, so that unlike some compact SUV rivals offering four-wheel drive, the true off-road race is out of the question. The choice of gearbox includes a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed automatic gearbox, depending on the engine chosen

Aside from a coherent rattle of an isolated inner prototype component, the prototype we were driving was exceptionally well built. And quite impatient, too! With a torque of 70 kW and a torque of 250 Nm, the 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder turbocharged engine combines well with the optional seven-speed gearbox to deliver decent off-road acceleration on the open road.

The unique diesel in the new T-Cross range feels particularly well-judged in terms of gearing both in town and on the open road. It also turns out well with flexible delivery and muffled mechanical refinement, at least until you start forcing the regime beyond 4000rpm, at which point it becomes very vocal with a lot of old-fashioned mechanical clatter.

will be available from the beginning of European sales. They include a three-cylinder turbocharged three-cylinder with 70 kW and 175 Nm or, in a slightly higher state, 85 kW and 200 Nm as well as a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 110 kW and 250 Nm

TMR VERDICT

It took Volkswagen a long time to enter the ranks of compact SUVs. However, the first signs are that the T-Cross has the potential to become a leader in its clbad in many areas. While maintaining a healthy appearance, it offers the exact driving characteristics, comfort, quality, versatility and features sought after by many SUV buyers.