DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE concept unveiled

The wraps have come off Volkswagen's latest medium-sized SUV design, the Cross Coupe GTE concept, which previews a five-seat version of its upcoming Toyota Kluger rival to be built in the USA.

Revealed ahead of official proceedings in downtown Detroit at the Cobo centre, the new SUV follows in the footsteps of the seven-seat CrossBlue SUV concept that broke cover two years ago, also in Detroit, and the five-seat CrossBlue Coupe concept, which was shown at the Shanghai motor show in April 2013.

The Cross Coupe GTE design is very similar to the latter concept, albeit slightly less extreme, suggesting that Volkswagen has almost settled on the final production design for the new vehicle, which is expected to be offered in both five and seven seat configurations in the US.

It rides on 'look-at-me' 22-inch alloy wheels, features LED headlights and has powerful extremities, such as the flared wheel arches and bold front air intakes. The interior is likewise futuristic with LCD touchscreens everywhere – even for the climate control – along with simple, concise controls and plenty of Nappa leather.

Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen's chief designer, explained that "The Cross Coupe GTE is the ambassador of a new design language developed by Volkswagen for the U.S."

"The concept car has a commanding presence; it is powerful with a look that could almost be described as aggressive."

Powered by a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine hooked up to a pair of electric motors (hence the GTE moniker) the plug-in hybrid SUV pumps out 265kW and 380Nm of torque, giving it plenty of curry. It is capable of reaching 100km/h from standstill in just over six seconds.

It makes use of a 14.1kWh Lithium-ion battery and has an electric-only range of 32km.

Volkswagen has confirmed it will build its new seven-seat medium-sized SUV alongside the Passat at the company's Chattanooga, Tennesse factory in the USA, from late 2016, which means it'll hit the market in 2017.

"Numerous details hint at how we envision a future production SUV model for North America," continued  Bischoff.

"The underlying concept combines German engineering and design with a vehicle that suits the American lifestyle. That means high efficiency, clear and powerful design, logical operation and supreme quality-combined with lots of space, superior performance, and outstanding comfort," he observed.

Because the vehicle will only be built in in the US initially, it is not expected to be available to Australian motorists in the short-term. Nevertheless, Volkswagen Australia has already expressed its interest in selling the new model here, if and when it gets the green-light for right-hand drive.

Sister-brand Skoda is expected to launch its own seven-seat SUV in Australia by 2016, based on the same MQB underpinnings as the upcoming Volkswagen SUV.

SUVs are currently experiencing a huge sales boom on a global scale and car makers are scrambling to fill gaps in their product portfolios as more buyers opt for the high-riding wagons. Volkswagen Australia currently only sells two SUVs in Australia, the small Tiguan and large Touareg.

Although a five-seat version of Volkswagen's as-yet unnamed SUV, akin to this Cross Coupe GTE, has not been confirmed for production – only the seven-seater – it's not beyond the realms of possibility for such a vehicle to be given the green light for production.