VW has teased a new compact crossover. Think of it as a coupe variant of the wildly popular T-Cross; something that could ultimately work quite well in the South African market.
Although the Wolfsburg-based firm is being coy about the technical details, it has released the strategy around its Nivus cross-coupe. Due to debut in the Brazilian market next year, the Nivus is a cross-coupe built on VW’s current small car platform and, judging by the teaser images, the Nivus clearly has a coupe shape with a sloping roofline, with a crossover-esque ride height.
A generously proportioned rear end should ensure competitive luggage capacity despite the tapered roofline, plus the Nivus' tailgate features a slightly broader taillamp design than the T-Cross.
Developed on the very accomplished VW MQB A0 platform, the Nivus should have all the ride, handling and refinement attributes of a Polo, but with additional ground clearance.
It is expected to feature the same drivetrains as the derivatives in the T-Cross range, which means the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TSI turbopetrol engine should be the default powerplant.
Power is graded at 85 kW and the only traction configuration is front-wheel drive – like most other hatchback-based crossovers. The Nivus will be available with either a 6-speed manual- or 6-speed dual-clutch (dual-clutch) transmission.
Volkswagen has not confirmed its global product strategy for the Nivus, besides confirming that its launch market will be Brazil. Countries which already receive T-Cross will naturally be candidates for this new VW compact cross-coupe. That means that it's not out of the question that the Nivus could be introduced into the local market at some point in the future.
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