- T-Cross to joinTiguan and Touareg at VWSA
- Sportier T-Roc confirmed for SA market in 2020
- ‘Budget’ pricing for T-Cross promised by VWSA
UITENHAGE, Eastern Cape – Volkswagen will introduce its first compact SUV to South African showrooms in the second half of 2019… the T-Cross (pictured).
The small SUV will join big brothers the Tiguan and Touareg in the VW model range and advance the company’s SUV growth strategy.
VW says it’s targeting the compact SUV segment which in 2018 accounted for 8.7% of the total market and points out that where most segments shrank the compact SUV segment grew year-on-year from 2014-18: 2014 saw 19 027, 2018 a whopping 31 982 units, growth of 68% growth.
TEMPTING SEGMENT GROWTH
The Corner adds that it’s not surprising: an SUV of any size is a far more useful road tool than a sedan or hatchback…
The indicated growth, VW says, was one of many reasons that drew the company into the segment.
The T-Cross is based on the same platform as the latest Polo and slots into the VW product portfolio below the Tiguan.
It’s 4.24m long, has a 2,55m wheelbase and is 1.58m tall. VW adds: ”Though it’s a compact SUV, the T-Cross is practical with 377 litres of boot space, expanding to 455 litres with the rear seats slid forwards and to 1281 litre with the rear seats folded flat.
LOTS OF OPTIONS
A number of standard and optional driving assistance features will be available, among them diode headlights and a choice of wheel-rim sizes.
The T-Cross’s cabin is, VW says, similar to that of the new Polo and the vehicle can be purchased with an ”active info” display. Pre-orders, VWSA says, will be open from the second half of 2019, the vehicles should start coming ashore towards the end of that year.
READ MORE VW features on Carman’s Corner
VWSA describes the T-Cross as ”great value for money” with prices starting at less than R300 000 (March 2019 exchange rate).
Another SUV, the ”premium, sporty and stylish” T-Roc, the first VW SUV available to order for South Africa in two-tone paintwork, will reach the local market in 2020.
