Volkswagen have unveiled a new five-seater compact SUV christened Cross Coupé GTE at the North American Auto Show in Detroit.
In 2013 Volkswagen showcased the CrossBlue and the CrossBlue Coupé concept SUVs, the Coupé GTE is the third SUV concept Volkswagen have revealed. This latest reveal just goes to show what a wide spectrum of SUV variants can be achieved using the Modular Transverse Matrix platform.
The Cross Coupé GTE will be a plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive, and sport Volkswagen’s new US design language, which combines German engineering with the American way of life. Powering the GTE concept will be a 3.6-litre, V6 petrol engine, in combination with two electric motors. The 3.6-litre FSI develops 280 PS and 350 Nm torque, and the two electric motors produce 55 PS and 220 Nm(front) and 115 PS and 270 Nm (rear). The net peak output is 360 PS and using this power the GTE clocks the 0-60 km/h sprint in 6.0 seconds, moving on to attain a top speed of upto 209 km/h.
The Cross Coupé GTE comes with five drive modes namely: E-mode, Hybrid, Off-road, GTE and Battery Hold/ Battery Charge. In the E-mode, the GTE is driven by the rear electric motor producing 115 PS, which can travel a distance up to 32 km in zero -emission mode. In case the battery charge is low, the V6 takes over. The concept GTE has other driving profiles such as On-road (with sub-modes Comfort and Eco), Off-road (with with sub-modes Rocks, Sand, Gravel and Sludge), Sport, and Snow, and each of these modes changes the set-up and driving characteristics of the car accordingly.
The GTE cockpit sports digital controls, a 10.1-inch infotainment display, a 12.3-inch Active info Display, sport seats up front, and three-beach seat at the rear. The Cross Coupé GTE concept will be on display from the 12th to the 25th of January in Detroit. Volkswagen have showcased this five-seater concept ahead of the start of production of the seven-seater CrossBlue, which is set to begin in 2016.
Story: Ryan Lee
