2021 Volkswagen T-Cross 110TSI flagship model ruled out for Australia: Powerful Mazda CX-3 rival plans canned

The 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross small SUV range will not be bolstered by the addition of a new, more powerful version after all.

Earlier in 2020 we reported that VW Australia planned to add a new 110TSI version of the T-Cross to its small SUV range, with that model bringing a four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with a substantial jump in power and torque over the existing 85TSI three-cylinder versions.

But the brand has announced it has shied away from plans for a more expensive, more powerful and more luxury-focused version of the T-Cross.

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"We simply don't think we can justify it at the cost we would be able to bring it to Australia for," said a VW Australia spokesperson. "We've got the T-Roc 110TSI at $33,990, and the T-Cross 110TSI could well have been more expensive."

That new T-Roc variant fills the gap above the two more compact T-Cross derivatives, the 85TSI Life ($27,990 MSRP) and 85TSI Style ($30,990 MSRP).

That means buyers of small Volkswagen SUV models will have to choose if they three or four cylinders.

Those in the market for a T-Cross will only have the option of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 85kW and 200Nm, and it is solely paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and front-wheel drive.

VW Australia has shied away from introducing a more powerful and luxury-focused T-Cross.

The VW T-Roc, however, will come with a choice of two four-cylinder engines - the just-added 110TSI powertrain comprising a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 110kW/250Nm, paired to a conventional eight-speed auto and 2WD, or the more potent 140TSI version, which runs a punchy 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with 140kW/320Nm, and uses a seven-speed dual-clutch with AWD.

Since the T-Cross model launched back in May 2020, the brand has managed to sell a substantial 2200 units, while the T-Roc - which has been hampered by a lack of supply of entry-level models - has accounted for 900 units to date (it officially went on sale here in September). 

Volkswagen Australia reps insisted that supply wouldn't be an issue moving forward for either of the small SUV models in the brand's range, suggesting that 2021 would see the T-Roc 110TSI become the best-selling model in the stable. Stay tuned for our review of the 2021 VW T-Roc 110TSI Style this week.