2019 Volkswagen T-Cross design shown in official preview
Prototypes have been spotted across the world as Volkswagen expands SUV line-up to four models; on sale next year
The Volkswagen T-Cross will become the fourth SUV in the car maker’s European line-up when it goes on sale early next year, following its reveal in October.
Its design will draw heavily from the larger T-Roc SUV, but a distinctive rear end with trendy light bar taillights also features. A new preview shows designers working on the car, with brightly coloured trim being selected for the car's interior. Twelve interior colours are available, while a two-tone paint job is available for the exterior.
The supermini-SUV, which Autocar has already driven in prototype form, focuses on practicality, according to another preview revealed by Volkswagen, with 385-455 litres of bootspace with the rear seats in place, depending on their position, rising to 1281 litres with the rear seats folded. With the seats in place, this space is 33-103 litres larger than the Kia Stonic, and up to 55 litres larger than the Seat Arona's, although with the T-Cross's seats positioned for maximum legroom, 15 litres down on its Seat cousin.
VW's T-Cross will sit below the existing T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg and, with an expected price above £17,000, rival the Seat Arona, Renault Captur and second generation Nissan Juke. Latest shots show the car in its most undisguised form yet, although some cladding on the front and rear disguises the car as a T-Roc, covering the car's actual features.
Volkswagen T-Cross prototype 2018: first drive of crossover supermini
It’s the latest in a 19-strong line-up of SUVs that VW plans to have in place within the next two years. VW’s aim is to boost sales of high-riding models to 40% of its overall global total by the end of the decade.
The T-Cross uses VW’s MQB A0 platform, shared with the VW Polo, Arona and Audi A1, among others.
Engines will also be shared with the T-Cross’s Polo sibling, meaning that 1.0 TSI petrol and 1.6 TDI diesel units will make up the vast majority of the range (the cars we drove used these two engines).
While the platform has been engineered to accommodate a plug-in hybrid variant, the first-generation T-Cross is unlikely to be electrified. It is too small to yet be considered for what still remains relatively expensive hybrid tech; a 48V mild hybrid will only appear on the Mk8 Golf next year.
Volkswagen Up GTI demand has exceeded expectations
The T-Cross will not get a GTI variant, with Volkswagen having previously said the badge will only be used on its Up, Polo and Golf hatchbacks.
A harder R version is more likely but a decision will be based on the success of the larger T-Roc R arriving next year.
Volkswagen design chief Klaus Bischoff told Autocar recently that the T-Cross’s design had already been signed off and was “not so far from the [T-Cross Breeze] concept”, albeit without its drop-top.
Read more:
Volkswagen T-Cross baby SUV concept
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