Award-Winning Volkswagen T-Cross Finally Lands in the Philippines
Volkswagen Philippines has been teasing the arrival of the T-Cross-one of the brand’s most anticipated models-since the start of the year. This subcompact SUV model had its world premiere in 2018 and has since sold over 300,000 units globally under different nameplates. The German automaker attributes the introductory success of the T-Cross to its build quality, youthful appeal, excellent ride comfort and vehicle safety. Designed to appeal to the young professional demographic, the vehicle has a popular and versatile platform that adapts to customers' active and dynamic lifestyle.
Awards for the Volkswagen T-Cross
There have been numerous good reviews for the T-Cross, earning several accolades since its launch, including the UK Business Car Awards 2019 for Best Compact SUV, Continental Tyres Irish 2020 Car of the Year in Ireland (Compact SUV of the Year), Frankfurt Motor Show 2019 for 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), among others.
Volkswagen Philippines held a virtual press conference earlier this week to officially announce the launch of the T-Cross, which will be available starting late next month. The T-Cross is built in three of VW’s plants located in Germany, Brazil, and China.
Volkswagen Philippines President Felipe Estrella says the local T-Cross model, which will be built and imported from China, will stay consistent with the manufacturing standards of Volkswagen that is adapted to all its plants worldwide and that the quality of these vehicles will have the same stringent quality controls similar to other units built elsewhere.
Estrella added that the T-Cross variant in the Philippines will be the longer wheelbase version and has the longest wheelbase in the five-seater subcompact SUV class category (2,651 mm). It can comfortably seat five persons and still offer 329 liters of luggage space at the back. It can also expand to 1,319 liters with rear seats folded.
Fully connected
The T-Cross has all the essential connectivity options in its infotainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay and App connect. Other interior niceties include rear air-conditioning vents and USB charging sockets, soft seat cushions and when you look up, there’s a panoramic sunroof as well.
Just like other VW nameplates, VW has put a lot of work making sure the T-Cross is very safe. It is rated five stars by the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the Australasian NCAP, and Latin NCAP safety rating, thanks to its 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).
In this highly competitive and price sensitive subcompact SUV segment, cost of ownership is also another serious consideration. Volkswagen Philippines claims that on average, it costs 40 percent less for maintenance compared to its other segment competitors based on a duration of five years of ownership. The Volkswagen T-Cross carries a warranty coverage of three years, or 100,000 kilometers (whichever comes first); spare parts warranty of two years, and service quality consistent with Volkswagen standards across the world.
There are two variants to choose from, both powered by a Euro6 emission standard 1.5-liter engine with six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The T-Cross 180 MPI S variant is priced at P1.098 million, while the 180 MPI SE would be priced at P1.198 million. VW PH is offering a discount of P30,000 for those who will reserve their units before the official market introduction this coming May.
Log on to www.volkswagen.com.ph for more details or like and follow Volkswagen Philippines’ Facebook page and Instagram account at @volkswagenph for updates about the T-Cross.
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