It seems this year will be the year of the crossover-coupé-SUV. Following the unveiling of the Mercedes-Benz GLE63 AMG, an update on the Jaguar F-Pace, Volkswagen has followed suit with its Cross Coupé GTE.
It has to be said that this is not the first time Volkswagen has given us a glimpse of an upcoming SUV-coupé concept. Back in 2013 the company showed us the Crossblue Coupé concept and last year it confirmed that its new seven-seater SUV will be build in North America.
However, this Cross Coupé GTE, shown at the Detroit Auto Show, is an all-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid. This is only a concept car at this stage, as the production of the larger, seven-seater SUV is planned to start at the end of 2016.
This is the third SUV concept shown by Volkswagen, and according to the company it illustrates the variety of models which could be build on the company’s modular transverse matrix (MQB) platform.
The Cross Coupé GTE is powered by a 3,6-litre V6 petrol engine and two electric motors (one at the front, one at the rear). The total output of the system is 265 kW. Top speed is 209 km/h and the dash to 97 km/h can be reached in 6,0 seconds. There will also be five different driving modes, ranging from E-Mode, Hybrid, GTE, Offroad and Battery Hold / Battery Charge. Using E-Mode, the GTE will be able to travel up to 32 km on electric power alone.
Expect Volkswagen to confirm more SUV-type production cars in the near future.
