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The market launch of the Volkswagen T-Cross is still close to a year, but being Autocar, we have already had access to a prototype to give you a first impression.
The T-Cross that you see here is far from ready for production, as evidenced by the camouflage that gives the impression that it has crashed into the air. Starburst factory. But what lies behind, according to the engineers of the car, is "95% complete". So it's a credible insight into what's going to happen.
Sold in the spring of 2019 from £ 17,000, the T-Cross follows the all-new T-Roc to reinforce VW's SUV range, which is The T-Cross, competitor of the Hyundai Kona and the Nissan Juke, could quickly become the volume seller and, considering the high demand of SUV, it is The T-Cross is built on the ubiquitous platform MQB and in this application it is technically related to the Polo, so that it shares many features with this car, including a very similar footprint that is only larger thanks to extensive overhangs. Although the car pictured here is camouflaged, we saw an undisguised design prototype and it is clear that VW opted for a youthful look similar to that presented with the T-Roc, especially at the rear, with LED lighting and reflector
VW engineers have embarked as much safety and convenience as possible in the T-Cross, allowing them to benefit from a full range of badistive technologies to driving, including the latest monitoring system before VW. before or approaching the side. In addition, the T-Cross can devour 455 liters of first clbad luggage when the 60/40 split rear seat is shifted 20 mm forward (a unique feature in the segment) and the trunk floor to two levels is set to its lowest. It swallows 1281 liters with the rear seats completely lowered.
This gives the T-Cross "unparalleled flexibility," according to Andreas Krüger, the boss of VW's small cars, even though the prototypes we tested included a reinforcement bar on the boot floor (just behind the seats ), which created a troublesome raised lip about one inch high. This could be "designed" before the production starts, we are told, but that might not be, which would hurt the ease of use of the luggage compartment space .
Check a few boxes of options in the touch screen infotainment system and the group of active display instruments, also transported directly from the Polo. There are also vibrant finishes available with an optional 3D printing design on the dashboard to spice things up.
We spent most of our time in a car equipped with a triple TSI up to 113bhp. It is predicted to be the best-selling and comes with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch (we tried the latter). But the lineup will start with a 94-hp version of the triple paired exclusively to a five-speed box. A four-pot of 1.5 TSI with 148 hp is due as the fastest option. There will be just a diesel, a 1.6 TDI with 94bhp and 184lb ft.
On the road, the T-Cross, which is available in front-wheel drive only, feels only marginally larger than a polo so remains easy to spin along the narrow sections of the Bavarian country road on our road test. The 1.0 TSI, familiar with Polo and Golf, remains impressive in this app, offering strong low-end torque with a pleasing three-cylinder rumble. It feels greedy and free of turnaround in the T-Cross, though not particularly powerful, and the DSG dual-clutch gearbox is quick to move. We noted a slight hesitation to slow down several times under heavy loads, but VW engineers say that there is still some work to be done.
Diesel should remain a low volume option because the burners are not particularly stressed. strong demand at this end of the market. But the 1.6-liter unit feels effortless in the T-Cross, with its healthy maximum torque apparently available at less than 2,000rpm. (The specifications are not yet confirmed.) It allows the seven-speed auto to spend longer on the top gears so that the driving experience is easier.
Interestingly, our diesel test car did slightly better than gasoline both were on 17-inch wheels, although 16 and 18 were also offered – absorbing ridges and cracks without the noises and vibrations we had felt in the 1.0 liter car. This could be related to the slightly firmer front springs used in the heavier diesel that do a better job at keeping the compound body, but we suspect that it is evidence of an undecided final setting and variations between these development cars very well used. ]
Do not make any mistakes here. It's hard to draw conclusions about a production car so far from being signed, so we will not do it. But it is clear that the T-Cross is very successful, especially in terms of practicality.
If VW engineers can smooth out the remaining wrinkles and be confident enough to give the brand's most compact SUV, it's hard to doubt the sparkle of trust in their eyes.
Volkswagen T-Cross Specification
Where Munich, Germany Price £ 17,000 (East) On sale Spring 2019 Engine 3 cylinders, 999cc, turbocharged, petrol Power 113bhp Couple 148lb ft (east) Gearbox ] 7-speed automatic dual-clutch Curb weight tbc Maximum speed 120mph (east) 0-62mph 10sec (east) Fuel economy tbc CO2 tbc Rivals Hyundai Kona, seat Arona, Nissan Juke
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