The new Volkswagen T-Cross is set to arrive in South Africa soon, with the local arm of the German firm having already outlined the range (including trim levels). Now, however, we have confirmation diesel power will not be offered here.
When CARmag.co.za drove the new T-Cross on the international launch in Mallorca in March, VW SA said it was “considering” adding a 1,6 TDI variant to the local line-up.
But the brand’s local arm has now confirmed South Africa’s T-Cross range will be purely petrol-driven, saying “no 1,6 TDI [is] planned for the T-Cross in SA”.
Instead, at launch the Polo-sized crossover will employ Wolfsburg’s familiar 1,0 TSI engine, delivering 85 kW and 200 N.m (and mated exclusively to a seven-speed DSG transmission). In the fourth quarter of 2019, a 1,5 TSI three-cylinder unit offering 110 kW will be added, before an entry-level 70 kW 1,0 TSI engine arrives in the first quarter of 2020.
Although pricing has yet to be revealed, VW SA has previously stated the range will start at under R300 000.
So, what are diesel-lovers missing out on? Well, the 1,6 TDI powerplant offered in Europe generates 70 kW and 250 N.m (the latter spread from 1 500 to 2 500 r/min). In five-speed manual form, the oil-burner will hit 100 km/h from standstill in a claimed 11,9 seconds, while the seven-speed DSG version takes six-tenths longer.
VW says the T-Cross 1,6 TDI will sip at 5,3 L/100 km (on the new WLTP cycle) regardless of which transmission is specified.
