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DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Volkswagen's plug-in SUV mooted for Oz
Production version of the Cross Coupe GTE concept, due in 2016, may be exported to AustraliaElectrification is the word at this year's North American International Auto Show and Volkswagen has announced plans for its own SUV offensive, which includes a production version of the plug-in Cross Coupe GTE concept.
The concept's design was created at Volkswagen's Wolfsburg studio and has seen several subtle variations over the past few years. However, this variation of the concept, revealed at this year's NAIAS, seems production viable. In fact, VW is talking end of 2016 as start of production for the Cross Coupe GTE at its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Exterior styling carries sharp lines and abrupt contour changes along with a glass area that's almost Land Rover-ish in profile. The brand's familiar VW logo looms large within a bold two-bar grille embracing compact, almost hidden LED headlights.
The Cross Coupe GTE, explains VW, represents the new design language for North America, while the production SUV will ride on VW Group's MQB architecture shared with Golf and Audi TT. However, the Cross Coupe GTE dimensions reach to 4847mm in overall length and 2030mm in width. The roofline at 1736mm reflects the concept's wide body section, a low hip point and very good headroom.
Production for export, specifically right-hand-drive for Australia, won't be decided before the end of the year, according to Dr Heinz-Jakob Heinz-Jakob Neusser (pictured), Member of the Board of Management at VW.
And right-hand-drive is possible using VW existing platform tool kit, claims Klaus Bischoff, head of VW design. Whether the production Cross Coupe GTE will be heading Down Under is perhaps a question of when rather than if.
The SUV concept is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine (206kW, 350Nm) and two electric motors lifting total power delivery to 265kW. VW is claiming a top speed of 209km/h with impressive acceleration of zero to 100km/h in about 6.0 seconds.
The relatively small 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery housed in the centre tunnel provides only 32km of driving range when the Cross Coupe GTE is powered purely by its electric reserves.
Off-road capabilities may be questionable, but technologically the Cross Coupe GTE uses its petrol V6 engine to drive the front axle assisted by the smaller 40kW electric motor. The rear axle is driven in off-road condition by the large second 85kW motor providing 4WD capabilities without need for a heavy transfer case and centre differential.
The interior is void of buttons and switches relying instead on VW gesture control for AC, lighting and other inputs.
Volkswagen will invest more than $7 billion over the next five years in North America to develop future vehicles and production facilities. VW also announced a reduction in vehicle life cycle from five years to three years between facelift refreshings, and a reduction from seven to five years for all-new vehicle generations. Such is the rapid pace of progress.
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Written byTodd Hallenbeck
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