It’s the latest in a 19-strong line-up of SUVs that VW plans to have in place within the next two years. VW’s aim is to boost sales of high-riding models to 40% of its overall global total by the end of the decade.

The T-Cross uses VW’s MQB A0 platform, shared with the VW Polo, Arona and Audi A1, among others.

Engines will also be shared with the T-Cross’s Polo sibling, meaning that 1.0 TSI petrol and 1.6 TDI diesel units will make up the vast majority of the range (the cars we drove used these two engines).

While the platform has been engineered to accommodate a plug-in hybrid variant, the first-generation T-Cross is unlikely to be electrified. It is too small to yet be considered for what still remains relatively expensive hybrid tech; a 48V mild hybrid will only appear on the Mk8 Golf next year.

Volkswagen Up GTI demand has exceeded expectations

The T-Cross will not get a GTI variant, with Volkswagen having previously said the badge will only be used on its Up, Polo and Golf hatchbacks.

A harder R version is more likely but a decision will be based on the success of the larger T-Roc R arriving next year.

Volkswagen design chief Klaus Bischoff told Autocar recently that the T-Cross’s design had already been signed off and was “not so far from the [T-Cross Breeze] concept”, albeit without its drop-top.

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