Volkswagen return with its Cross Coupe Concept in Detroit Motor Show, but this year the prototype is featuring the GTE acronym to suggest the hybrid setup hidden under the bonnet. The SUV was also discreetly revised to feature new design language and to adapt to new technologies introduced by Volkswagen a week ago, during CES Las Vegas.
Exterior
Painted in Grand Pacific Glacier blue, the SUV is 190.8 inches long, 79.9 inches wide and 68.3 inches high.
The headlights, turn signals and the radiator grille merge together seamlessly, with two aluminum bars (polished at the front, brushed on top) forming the basic structure of the radiator grille.
The distinctive Daytime Running Light signature will also be seen in future production models. This consists of the four LED headlights and four "LED light wings", two of which are in the radiator grille and two in the lower air intake.
Interior
Also, the new Volkswagen Cross Coupe envisions a mid-size SUV interior of tomorrow. Under the windshield, the concept car features an Ink Blue Nappa leather border that matches the Grand Pacific Glacier exterior paintwork. This high-end digital world is capped by an Active Info Display, with displays that can be individually set by the driver.
The driver and front passenger can manage all infotainment functions and the basic vehicle configuration via the 10.1-inch touchscreen, using proximity sensors and gesture control.
Drivetrain
The SUV concept is powered by a 3.6-liter VR6 gasoline engine and two electric motors. The six-cylinder direct-injection engine (FSI) delivers 276 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The two electric motors produce 54 hp and 162 lb-ft (front) and 114 hp and 199 lb- ft (rear).
They are powered by a compact lithium-ion battery housed in the center tunnel, which is rated at 14.1 kWh. The total output of the drive system adds up to 355 hp and 280 lb-ft, enough to power the Cross Coupe GTE onto a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h) and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 6.0 seconds.
