JUST when you thought the SUV-crossover market has had its fill, VW has proposed a completely new model designed combining German and US styling.
Called the Cross Coupé GTE, the five-seater midsize SUV concept car was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
The Cross Coupé GTE is the third concept car presented by Volkswagen in the run-up to the introduction of the production version
It boasts a plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive system, and a US design language attempting to combine German engineering with the American way of life.
Power comes via a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine in combination with two electric motors. The six-cylinder direct-injection engine (FSI) delivers 280 PS and maximum torque of 350 Nm, while the two electric motors deliver 40 kW and 220 Nm (front) and 85 kW and 270 Nm (rear). They are powered by a compact lithium-ion battery housed in the centre tunnel, with energy content of 14.1 kWh. The total output of the drive system is 360 PS, and using this full power, the Cross Coupé GTE, which has a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h), accelerates to 60 mph in 6 seconds.
The new car’s debut at the show comes ahead of the start of production at the end of 2016 of a seven-seater midsize SUV at Volkswagen of America’s Chattanooga factory in Tennessee.
The Cross Coupé GTE is the third concept car presented by Volkswagen in the run-up to the introduction of the production version. Together, all three concept cars – the CrossBlue presented in Detroit in January 2013, the CrossBlue Coupé most recently shown in Los Angeles in November 2013 and the Cross Coupé GTE that is now being presented at the NAIAS.
These were developed with the aim of offering an SUV specifically to suit the US market and, as yet, no plans have been voiced to market the cars elsewhere.
