WHEN it premiered, just hours apart, in Amsterdam, Shanghai, and Sao Paolo, the Volkswagen T-Cross already was forecast to take a significant share of the subcompact crossover SUV segment because of its young, flexible and connected personality intersecting with VW’s traditional values of style, practicality, and economy. And in only its second year of sales, it already sold 300,000 units globally.
In about a month, VW Philippines will make available the T-Cross here.
In a virtual press conference, VW President Felipe Estrella said that he pins the revival of the VW brand in the Philippines on the new SUV. This he believes will happen as the vehicle not only is positioned in the highly competitive but constant expanding B-segment SUV market but more so because of the value proposition it carries which will appeal to the Filipino buyer.
“The T-Cross is a vehicle that we hope will be ushering in a revival for the Volkswagen brand in the Philippines,” Estrella said, as he pointed out that it is VW Philippines’ first subcompact SUV to be introduced locally.
The T-Cross is the second of four new vehicle models the Ayala-aligned car distributor is planning to release this year. On February 23 this year, it quietly released the 2021 Santana. Though Estrella did not confirm any of the other vehicles coming in, he hinted that other SUV models are in the pipeline.
Having already carved a niche by selling 300,000 units globally, despite the limitations caused by the pandemic, the T-Cross proved that its design and engineering, embodied in one singular design statement, “I am more than one thing,” truly represents what it is all about.
To understand what VW meant by this, one needs to throwback to the launch in Amsterdam where Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer of Volkswagen explained how the T-Cross represents both dynamism and opportunity, attitudes that the young generation of car buyers are akin to–choosing mobility options that serve their personal and professional goals.
At the virtual press conference, VW PH executives took turns to explain various positioning statements that define the T-Cross in the Philippine setting, and how its features would amplify the dynamic lifestyles of its owners. Estrella reiterated Brandstätter consumer positioning of the T-Cross to the “new generation of motorists that are redefining the reinvigorated Volkswagen.”
VW’s marketing material explains the core “I am more than one thing,” positioning as the T-Cross being “fully prepared for the everyday…a modern adventurer and master of transformation who is reinterpreting the signs of the times.”
“I am cool.” The T-Cross’ trendy exterior design and youthful interior layout reflect its owner’s sophisticated yet fun sense of style. The aggressive exterior design is wrapped in unique colors such as Tribu, Syringa Violet, Romance Red, Polar White, and even Chinchilla Gray, adopting the importance of aesthetics by combining young urban fashion with its style and functionality.
This multifaceted design and engineering excellence that goes into every T-Cross that rolls out of Volkswagen’s three manufacturing hubs (Germany, Brazil, and China) have been recognized around the world by award-giving bodies, most notably by the BusinessCar Awards 2019 in the United Kingdom (Best Compact SUV), the 2020 Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year in Ireland (Compact SUV of the Year), Frankfurt Motor Show 2019 in Germany (Best “Exterior Volume Brand”), UOL Carros 2019 and L’Auto Preferita in Brazil (Compact SUV of the Year), and the 5th annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards in South Africa (Compact Family Car category winner).
“I am versatile.” T-Cross sits between this gap opened by the larger Tiguan. Its size makes it better for urban driving, without sacrificing the space inside the vehicle.
Using what VW calls its modular transverse matrix (MQB), which allows the driven front axle to be located very far forward, the T-Cross now has a wheelbase of 2,651 mm, which almost goes to the ends of the total car length. The farther apart the wheels are, the better space can be attained inside. Which is one of the strong value points of the SUV–the versatility in the interior–the sliding rear seat can be pushed back by 14 centimeters, allowing more passenger legroom or luggage space. The cargo area can hold between 329 to 1,319 liters with a flat-folding rear sitting mechanism deployed. It can carry all the loads that come with the lifestyle of the active millennial.
“I am comfortable.” The controls and infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and App connect can be seen at a glance for easy use. There’s available rear air-conditioning and USB sockets for the back passengers, as well as a soft seat cushion and comfortable steering wheel perfect for long out-of-town drives. The T-Cross can be attributed to embodying a singular mind with the user, with its end goal of prioritizing driver comfort and accessibility for enjoyable and worry-free cruising.
“I am safe.” The T-Cross earns its 5 stars in the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the Australasian NCAP, and Latin NCAP safety rating with its host of standard safety features such as the strong body structure, LED tail lights, electronic stabilization program (ESP), cruise control, tire pressure monitoring system, and additional safety features (for the SE variant): 6 airbags, LED headlights, rear camera, rear park distance control (PDC), and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
The T-Cross adds significant ownership value in aftersales. With its once-a-year periodic maintenance service (PMS), it is, on average, 40 percent more affordable to maintain compared to its competitors in the segment for the duration of 5 years of ownership. This would be on top of the warranty coverage of 3 years, or 100,000 km (whichever comes first); spare parts warranty of 2 years, and; service quality consistent with Volkswagen standards across the world.
Two variants are available, 180 MPI AT S and the 180 MPI AT SE, both with a Euro6 emission standard 1.5-liter engine that outputs a maximum power output of 113 Ps and 145Nm of torque coupled to a 6-speed Tiptronic AT.
The T-Cross 180 MPI S sells for P1.098M and the higher specification 180 MPI SE for P1.198M. An introductory discount of P30,000 is offered for those who will reserve before the market introduction this May.
For reservations, call Volkswagen BGC at (02) 8558-5888; Volkswagen Quezon Avenue at (02) 8558-5818; Volkswagen Pampanga at (45) 961-1895; Volkswagen Alabang at (02) 8558-5807; Volkswagen Santa Rosa at (0935) 427-8545; Volkswagen Cebu at (32) 517-8226; Volkswagen Iloilo at (33) 331-2622; Volkswagen Bacolod at (034) 435-7575; and Volkswagen Cagayan de Oro at (088) 851-7960.
You may also log on to www.volkswagen.com.ph, for more details. Like and follow Volkswagen Philippines’ Facebook page and Instagram account at @volkswagenph for updates on the T-Cross.
Check the T-Cross brochure here.
