Test drive VW T-Cross: new territories
It's time to test the smallest crossover in the Volkswagen range
VW is deepening its penetration into the most popular segment of the market with the small T-Cross. How big is the crossover version of the Polo?
Wolfsburg's strategy towards the youngest member of the SUV family surprised no one - as in a number of other cases over the past few years, the Germans allowed all competitions to play out and face all potential problems. , after which they came to their mature interpretation. This is what happened with the Tiguan, the T-Roc, and now we see it in the T-Cross, which in its Spanish version of the Seat Arona is already doing well in the market and seriously competing with the larger Ateca.
While this is VW's first SUV without a dual drivetrain system, the T-Cross is unlikely to have a hard time grabbing audience attention. At 4,11 meters long, it is only 5,4 centimeters longer than the Polo, which platform it uses, but its height is a whopping 13,8 centimeters, and the model has much more to offer than meets the eye. look.
Excellent three-cylinder TSI
The model debuted on the market with a 1,0-liter turbocharged petrol engine with a particulate filter in 95 and 115 hp variants, and a more powerful version with the well-known 7-speed DSG gearbox is also available. The 1,6-liter TDI with 95 hp will be added to the range this summer, followed by the familiar 1.5 TSI with 150 hp.
In fact, the 1230kg car is completely satisfied with a 115-horsepower three-cylinder engine and a perfectly matched six-speed manual transmission. The bouncy 1.0 TSI readily pulls, sounds great and calmly maintains speeds of 130 km / h and above without undue stress. In everyday life, you hardly need more ...
Unlike many recent examples of SUVs and crossovers with an overly rigid chassis that compromises comfort without affecting road dynamics, the T-Cross's suspension settings are very positive. The engineers have managed to achieve a balance that isolates impacts and prevents lateral vibrations when cornering. The steering system, in turn, is far from the definition of "sporty", but allows easy and precise driving, against which direct competitors currently have nothing to oppose.
More space for passengers and luggage than Polo
The interior design strictly follows the Wolfsburg canons - clean forms, solid features and a combination of materials in which practicality prevails over unnecessary effects. Dark tones and hard surfaces predominate, but the technique offers many opportunities to diversify the picture with bright color accents. The Sport-Comfort seats are true to their name, generously sized and offer everything you need to feel good, from generous hip area to excellent full-body lateral support. The standard touch screen on the dashboard, in turn, is complemented by logical and understandable navigation and multimedia elements.
However, one of the most important advantages of the T-Cross is its internal dimensions. Passengers with an above average level can comfortably sit anywhere in the cabin without worrying about their knees or hair. At the same time, the seating position increased by ten centimeters compared to the Polo improves visibility from the driver's seat and facilitates maneuvers both when parking and when getting in and out of the small SUV.
In terms of luggage space and the ability to transform volumes, the T-Cross is seriously superior to its competitors, including the Spanish “cousin” Aron. At the same time, the rear seat offers not only a reclining backrest in a ratio of 60 to 40, but also the possibility of longitudinal displacement in the range of 14 centimeters, while the luggage compartment volume varies from 385 to 455 liters with vertical backrests and reaches a maximum of 1 liter in a two-seater configuration. Optionally, there is the ability to fold the back of the driver's seat, where the T-Cross can easily carry objects up to 281 meters long - enough for any type of sports equipment.
Decent prices
The equipment of the smallest representative in the SUW VW lineup definitely does not meet the definition of "small" and includes all modern measures and systems to improve comfort and safety on board - from a height-adjustable driver's seat to a screen with a diagonal of 6,5. inches into a rich arsenal of electronic driver assistance systems.
The model debuts on the Bulgarian market in the petrol version 1.0 TScTSI with 85 kW / 115 hp. with a six-speed manual gearbox (33 275 levs with VAT) and a seven-speed gearbox DSG (36 266 levs with VAT), as well as 1.6 TDI diesel variants with a five-speed manual gearbox (36 659 levs with VAT) and seven-speed DSG gearbox (39 644 levs with VAT)
CONCLUSION
Juggling platform architectures is one of the main disciplines of VW engineers, but another incarnation of MQB is a truly amazing stunt. Volkswagen T-Cross - a small exterior, but an extremely spacious and flexible interior with memorable shapes and excellent directional stability. No wonder classic body types are slowly dying out…
Text: Miroslav Nikolov
Photos: Volkswagen
