Volkswagen PH opens order books for 2021 T-Cross LWB
2021 Volkswagen T-Cross now available for reservations at VW dealerships
Just about every automaker in the country has at least two crossovers in their respective line-ups. However, that hasn't been the case for Volkswagen Philippines. For years, they only offered one model since shifting to SAIC-sourced models in the Tiguan.
But now, there's a new, smaller crossover joining the range in the form of the T-Cross. This launch comes weeks after Volkswagen Philippines posted a teaser of it on their Facebook page. With that, the T-Cross has to face off several best-sellers such as the Ford EcoSport and Geely Coolray. So, what does it have to offer?
The T-Cross that Volkswagen Philippines will offer is the long wheelbase variant. The looks of the vehicle is kicked off by a wide bold grille flanked by slim headlights with a large center intake for hte radiator. Like every other crossover out there, the entire lower edges of the car is surrounded by cladding to give it a more masculine appearance.
Straight character lines then define the sides of the small crossover, along with chunky fender flares for a wider stance. It also looks like it offers a lot of natural light into the cabin thanks to those tall windows. There is a bit of a sloping roofline that blends into the integrated tailgate spoiler. Over at the back, the tailgate is nearly vertical and the wraparound taillights are connected by a large black panel carrying the VW logo.
Open the doors and one can see its wraparound dash design with geometric shapes on the fascia. A thick steering wheel greets the driver, complete with a flat bottom and thumb rests. There's a large infotainment touchscreen right at the center, and it even comes with the Digital Cockpit closely related to Audi's Virtual Cockpit. There's room for five inside and, to boost legroom, the second row can also slide backward.
Despite the subcompact dimensions, the T-Cross offers one of the biggest cargo capacities in its segment. For added comfort and convenience, the crossover is also available with rear air-conditioning vents and additional USB ports. It also comes with Apple CarPlay and App Connect.
There are two variants available for the Philippines, the entry-level S, and the top-spec SE. Both variants of the local-spec T-Cross have stability control, cruise control, and tire pressure monitoring standard. Opt for the higher-spec SE and it gains six airbags, LED headlights, rear camera, rear park distance control (PDC), and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
Powering the T-Cross is a 1.5-liter engine that is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. If that combination sounds familiar, that's because it is like the same unit found in the Santana. The 1.5-liter mill produces 113 PS and 145 Nm torque. The fuel economy based on manufacturer figures is rated at 5.9 L/100km in mixed highway and city driving conditions or nearly 17 km/L. This is the only engine option for the T-Cross.
With the addition of the T-Cross in the local line-up, it gives Volkswagen Philippines an attractive new model to boost their sales. It's a much-needed model too, given that more automakers are coming out with more affordable subcompact crossovers these days.
Prices of the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross are as follows:
T-Cross 1.5 MPI A/T S: PHP 1,098,000
T-Cross 1.5 MPI A/T SE: PHP 1,198,000
Volkswagen says the T-Cross is now available for reservations, and they are implementing a PHP 30,000 discount for early customers, bringing down the price of the S to PHP 1,068,000 and the SE to PHP 1,168,000.
The launch of the vehicle will be on May 26.
