Volkswagen To Unveil T-Cross Compact SUV at Auto Expo 2020

Volkswagen India will unveil the India-spec T-Cross compact SUV at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo scheduled for February next year. The India-spec T-Cross will have specific bits that will make it different from the global version including styling that’s blingier. The Hyundai Creta rival from Volkswagen is expected to get a lot of chrome when compared to the global version. ACI reports that it could have a revised suspension set up tuned to handle the rougher roads of India while the wheelbase will be stretched by 100 mm to make it a more spacious 5-seater. The vehicle will be built on the MQB A0 platform, at Volkswagen’s Chakan factory off Pune. It will be a five-seater and front wheel driven. There will be no diesel engine on offer, and Volkswagen will instead offer powerful turbocharged petrol engines across the range. 6 speed manual and 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearboxes are likely to be on offer with the new SUV.

The 1 liter-3-cylinder turbo petrol engine is likely to be offered in 115 Bhp-200 Nm state of tune, which should give the SUV enough pep to keep up with both petrol and diesel powered competition. A more powerful 1.5 liter-4-cylinder turbocharged petrol with 128 Bhp-200 Nm is expected to a part of the variant mix as well. Also, a CNG-Petrol dual fuel option could be offered in future, at least in specific parts of India where CNG dispensing infrastructure is well established.

Initially though, expect the T-Cross to be sold as a petrol-only SUV, aimed mainly at city buyers given Volkswagen’s minimal presence in semi-urban and rural parts of India. The T-Cross’ market launch is expected to happen by the end of 2020 or early 2021. It will have a Skoda-badged sibling known as the Kamiq, which will share most parts with the T-Cross expect for the styling and interior design.

In fact, Volkswagen has tasked Skoda India with the MQB A0 platform’s localization. The T-Cross is likely to have a lot of local content to push down costs. In terms of pricing, a starting price close to Rs. 10 lakhs is likely. The T-Cross from Volkswagen and Kamiq from Skoda will be the first affordable SUVs from both brands for the Indian market, and a lot is riding on these SUVs. Expect high quality levels inside out, and also a sturdy build. These could be the biggest selling points for the T-Cross and Kamiq. The Skoda SUV is likely to precede the one from Volkswagen in terms of the Indian launch. Expect to also see the Kamiq at the Auto Expo of 2020.