Volkswagen Polo-based T-Cross concept SUV to be shown in Geneva

Volkswagen will preview its plans for a new entry-level SUV at the upcoming Geneva motor show. To be based on the Polo, the Volkswagen T-Cross concept SUV will head into production internationally in 2018 as a rival to the Mazda CX-3 and Nissan Juke. The new high-riding Volkswagen is described as a sister model to the earlier T-Roc – the larger VW Golf-based SUV concept revealed in 2014, due to launch internationally sometime in 2017.

The T-Cross and T-Roc are part of a volume-segment SUV model strategy being fast-tracked by company chairman Matthias Müller, according to a highly placed Volkswagen manager familiar with the company’s future model portfolio.

“We will position production versions of the T-Cross and T-Roc underneath the Tiguan and Touareg in a part of the market that is currently experiencing large growth for SUV models, including Europe,” said the manager.

Both the new models are conceived around the carmaker’s highly flexible MQB platform and are planned to be offered with the choice of either petrol, diesel or plug-in petrol-electric hybrid drivetrains, with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

As with its larger sibling, the production version of the T-Cross is expected to receive a uniquely styled exterior compared to that of the Cross Polo, which features the same basic exterior as the standard five-door Polo hatchback, in the keenly fought compact SUV ranks.

Styled under the guidance of Volkswagen design boss Klaus Bischoff, the T-Cross is expected to borrow elements from the T-Roc, including its full-width grille, side window graphic and distinctive wheel arches, in a bid to provide the two new SUV models with a common lineage.

Despite the apparent visual commonality, our sister publication Autocar UK understands that the outer body of each of the new SUVs will use unique pressings unrelated to reach other. Further differentiation will be provided by their dimensions, with the T-Cross set to stretch to around 4,000mm and the T-Roc running to 4,200mm.

Volkswagen’s original plans for an even smaller SUV based on the same underpinnings as the Up, as previewed by the Taigun concept at the 2012 Sao Paolo motor show and the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, have been abandoned due, in part, to the shaky financial climate in key South American markets, including Brazil, where the 3,800mm-long, five-door was proposed to be produced.

The reference to the letter “T” in their names suggest the T-Cross and T-Roc will follow Volkswagen's tradition in which each its existing SUV models have received a name beginning  with the letter “T”, including the Tiguan and Touareg.

For India, VW is set to showcase its new Tiguan SUV at the Auto Expo 2016 in Delhi. Unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show 2015, the second-generation Tiguan is the first production SUV from the VW Group to be based on the MQB platform. Expected to launch soon in India, the model is expected to be offered with a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine while the international model gets up to eight engine options in various markets.