On the heels of the facelifted Santana subcompact sedan, Volkswagen Philippines is giving its customers and fans several things to look forward to in 2020. But one offering has been confirmed as coming to our shores first: the T-Cross subcompact crossover.
Volkswagen's smallest crossover to date is coming to the Philippines
Positioned below the T-Roc, this is VW’s smallest SUV to date, produced in several territories such as Spain, Brazil, and India (in long-wheelbase form). The Philippine release will likely be sourced from one of two production facilities in China.
The T-Cross rides on the same MQB A0 platform that underpins the current Polo Mk6 and Audi A1 Mk2, and it managed to roll out close to 300,000 examples worldwide in 2020, almost 91,000 units coming from European showrooms alone. What can buyers likely expect when the T-Cross arrives here?
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The exterior exudes a dynamic vibe that even younger customers should feel at home with
Volkswagen is stirring up the hype surrounding the T-Cross, with words such as “energetic,” “vibrant,” and “festive,” even drawing parallels to adobo and kare-kare to connect to Filipino buyers.
Externally, the model does look nimble even while standing still, with black trim on the fascia exuding youthful energy. The faux skid plate in front along with the fender extensions give off an adventurous air, complemented by the two-tone multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Inside, the T-Cross features ample room for up to five occupants, with accommodations courtesy of leather seats (fabric on lower trims).
A panoramic sunroof shown on teaser photos could be available for top-spec variants. Onboard entertainment comprises either an 8-inch or a bigger 9.2-inch touchscreen panel.
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A flat-bottomed steering wheel hints at the T-Cross' sporty drive
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Engine choices could include a 1.5L gasoline option good for 111 hp and 145 Nm of torque, as well as a 1.4L turbocharged version capable of 148 hp and 250 Nm of torque. As for the gearbox, expect either a five- or six-speed manual transmission alongside a seven-speed direct-shift gearbox (DSG). Anti-lock brakes, electronic differential lock, traction control, and reverse sensors are expected as standard safety kit.
Volkswagen Philippines is hinting at two more releases for the year
The Volkswagen T-Cross is anticipated to carry a starting price estimated between Php 1.1 and 1.3 million, exclusive of safeguard tariffs. It will join the company of the MG ZS, Geely Coolray, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Ford EcoSport among others, so expect the local subcompact crossover category to become a lot more interesting.
Volkswagen has also hinted at two as yet unidentified model releases for the third and fourth quarters of the year, so that’s something to anticipate as well.
View more upcoming releases at Philkotse.com.