It is Volkswagen’s smallest SUV and yet it has what it takes to become a great one: the new T-Cross1. It is still under wraps, but the development to series production is running at full speed. The world première will take place this autumn and the launch will follow in spring 2019. Until then, Volkswagen will give more and more details about the new small but great SUV. Just like now with the clip in which professional players from the “Grizzlys Wolfsburg” ice hockey team throw all their equipment into the T-Cross which easily fits the equipment plus players.
“I am more” – this is the slogan for the introduction of the T-Cross. This slogan reflects the philosophy behind the SUV: to offer more than others. But without costing more. The slogan is clustered in four characteristic areas of the T-Cross: “I am practical” – more space and variability; “I am cool” – masculine design and maximum individuality; “I am intuitive“ – digital and connected; “I am safe” – one of the safest cars in its class. Naturally the professionals of “Grizzlys Wolfsburg” address the topic “I am practical”. Because they need space. A lot of space. And the new T-Cross provides this.
The modular transverse matrix, or MQB for short, is one of the reasons for this. This is the technical basis of the T-Cross. The front axle moves far to the front, thereby lengthening the wheelbase, creating more space in the interior and increasing the available stowage space. The latter is also variable: Depending on the situation, the rear seat bench can be adjusted lengthwise as standard. For more legroom or – as in the case of “Grizzlys Wolfsburg” – for more space in the luggage compartment (385 to 455 litres). The maximum cargo volume represents the leading value in the segment. The back of the rear seat can also be divided (60:40) or completely folded down. This creates a flat loading area and thus even more space (1,281 litres) for the ice hockey equipment or bikes and boards. The fold-down front passenger seat backrest offers additional flexibility.
The high seating position in the T-Cross is typical for an SUV: 597 mm at the front and 652 mm at the three seats at the rear; the elevated view from the T-Cross is realised via higher ground clearance and the seat system. Big guys like the two professionals from “Grizzly Wolfsburg” in the clip for the T-Cross also appreciate the sitting position: the American Jeff Likens (32) and the German Armin Wurm (29). Jeff was already world champion with the U20 team of the USA; since 2015 he is the deputy captain of the Wolfsburg team. Armin is one of the best defensive specialists in the country; he defends the “Grizzlys Wolfsburg” goal. The professional from Lower Saxony not only plays for the first division team from the German motor city, but also for the German national ice hockey team. One thing is certain: Jeff and Armin are very impressed with the versatility of the cargo hold concept in the T-Cross. It is not unlikely that the new Volkswagen will increasingly appear in front of the “Wolfsburg Ice Arena” from next spring – no longer under wraps, of course.
