US: Volkswagen Unveils New Five-Seat Cross Coupe GTE Model At Detroit

Volkswagen has unveiled a new five-seater midsize SUV concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Called the Cross Coupé GTE, it is a plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive, and previews Volkswagen’s new US design language, combining German engineering with the American way of life. The new car’s debut at the show, which runs from 12-25 January, comes ahead of the start of production at the end of 2016 of a new seven-seater midsize SUV at Volkswagen of America’s Chattanooga factory in Tennessee.

OneShift Editorial Team

13 Jan 2015

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 – represent just a part of the wide spectrum of SUV variants that can be realised through the modular transverse matrix (MQB).

Although the design of all three SUVs was based on the Volkswagen design DNA and they have common stylistic features, the latest model breaks in many ways with previous concepts, and thus increases the momentum towards series production. The Cross Coupé GTE measures 4,847 mm long, 1,736 mm high and 2,030 mm wide.

Powering the Cross Coupé GTE is 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 just 6.0 seconds. The Cross Coupé GTE can be driven in five different power modes: E-Mode, Hybrid, GTE, Off-road and Battery Hold / Battery Charge.

The design of the cockpit reflects the car’s hi tech engine and drivetrain nature, featuring horizontal lines and clear digital controls with intuitive operation. The new infotainment system is controlled via a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while a 12.3-inch Active Info Display – similar to that recently previewed on the new Passat – allows extremely high-quality interactive graphic presentation of all details in the digital dashboard. The Cross Coupé GTE features sports seats at the front and a three seat bench in the rear, which can be folded 1/3 or 2/3, creating a continuous flat cargo floor.

Have a closer look at the Cross Coupé GTE in our gallery.

Credits: Oneshift News Team