The newest member of Volkswagen’s extensive SUV family is gaining a frugal new engine option as the T-Cross is now available with a Euro 6 compliant 95PS, 1.6-litre TDI powerplant.

This extends the T-Cross engine options to three: two turbocharged petrol units and now one turbodiesel, and underscores the car’s mantra “I am more than one thing.”

The already fuel efficient T-Cross achieves 48.9 mpg in its most economical petrol form, but this rises to 52.9 mpg across both transmissions and all specs when fitted with the 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine – making it the most fuel-efficient SUV available in the Volkswagen line-up.

The 95PS four cylinder 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel also has the highest torque peak yet seen in T-Cross, developing 250Nm versus the 115PS 1.0-litre TSI’s 200Nm, across the same 1500-2500rpm rev range.

Reflecting the flexibility of the engine, all trim levels bar entry-level S will benefit from the option of the 1.6-litre turbodiesel – from value-focused and equipment-packed SE to the sportier and more luxurious R-Line specification.

Customers can also choose between a five-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed DSG unit, although the majority are expected to take the manual option in the UK. The 0-62mph time for the manual car is 11.9 seconds while the DSG-equipped car takes 12.5 seconds to cover the same sprint.

In turbodiesel form, the T-Cross starts at £21,240 for the SE specification model, which produces 140g/km CO2. As with the rest of the T-Cross range, the diesel-driven T-Cross is fitted with a raft of practicality-boosting features as standard, including a sliding rear bench – movable up to 14cm forward or backward, giving the choice between superior rear leg room or 70 litres of additional boot space.

Safety equipment normally associated with larger and more expensive models has also been fitted, thanks to the T-Cross’ use of the Volkswagen MQB (Modular Transverse Toolkit – Modularer Querbaukasten) platform, such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist.

Claire Haynes, T-Cross Product Manager at Volkswagen UK, said: “The T-Cross is a car designed for the challenges and trials of family life, so it needs to be flexible, practical and offer an abundance of choices to tackle almost any combination of requirements.

“Adding a diesel engine option into the UK’s new T-Cross line-up is yet another way that our new compact SUV can offer more of that flexibility, choice and convenience.”