Geneva 2016: Volkswagen T-Cross Breeze Concept debut

A few weeks ago, we reported that the Volkswagen has scrapped the Taigun compact SUV project and is instead working on a new SUV based on the Polo. At the ongoing 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the German car maker has now given us a glimpse of what it could be. Say hello to the new T-Cross Breeze concept. 

While the T-Cross Breeze, as the name rightly suggests, is a convertible, it is expected to go into production in the standard five-door body style too. Just over 4 metres in length, the T-Cross Breeze is one of the three Volkswagen SUVs expected to go on sale in the next two years. 

With the T-Cross concept, Volkswagen has tried to bring together the ruggedness of an SUV, while maintaining the charm of a convertible. Designed under the guidance of the Volkswagen Brand Design boss, Klaus Bischoff, the car shares some of its elements with the T-Roc which was showcased at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. Up front the T-Cross gets boxy LED DRLs on the bumper and a large grille that also houses the sleek looking headlamps. At the back, it gets narrow LED taillights and some sharp cuts that give it an un-SUV appeal. 

The interiors look futuristic thanks to the sharp overall design and use of the bright colours. It gets a digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment system.  

Under the hood, the T-Cross Breeze gets the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit that makes peak power of 109 horses and maximum torque of 175Nm. All of this power is sent to the front wheel with the help of a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Volkswagen claims that the T-Cross Breeze can do the 0-100kmph dash in 10.3 seconds and record a top speed of 188kmph. Yes, the T-Cross Breeze might not blaze the tarmac, but Volkswagen claims that it will be extremely efficient. The compact SUV is expected to return around 20 kilometres to a litre of fuel. 

At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, Bischoff explained: “The T-Cross Breeze is a teaser for the most compact sport utility vehicle that Volkswagen plans to make – and the nucleus of a new SUV and convertible design in the compact sector.”

The T-Cross is essentially a replacement of the recently scrapped Taigun concept and will be placed below the Tiguan in the compact SUV segment. While there is no official confirmation yet, this new model is expected to make its way to India eventually.

Aside from the T-Cross Breeze, Volkswagen also introduced the up! beats at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. This variant of the up! has been fine-tuned by US Audio specialists BeatsAudio mainly for fans of the perfect sound. It gets a 300watt premium sound system and a total of 7 speakers.