DETROIT — The four-passenger Volkswagen New Concept Coupe, which makes its world debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, is a German riff on what a fuel-efficient coupe crammed with style can look like. VW is not saying whether the 56-mpg NCC is bound for production, only that it shows "how Volkswagen envisions a front-wheel-drive hybrid for the compact class that would be implemented when the time is right."
The coupe bundles a 148-horsepower four-cylinder turbocharged TSI gas engine, a 20-Kw electric motor and a seven-speed direct-shift transmission. A lithium-ion battery supplies the electric motor with energy. The concept is also equipped with a stop-start system that cuts fuel consumption, especially in stop-and-go traffic. The NCC has a top speed of 141 mph and sprints from zero to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds.
"Since the NCC can also be driven in a pure electric mode, the drive system is classified as a full hybrid," VW said in a statement.
There is a studied sex appeal to the low-slung NCC, and it has such touches as LED daytime running lights and turn signal lights. The car is painted in Tungsten Silver Metallic and comes equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels. Exterior cues include a spoiler lip built into the trunk lid and a stylized diffuser.
The cockpit gets Berry White leather, a new multifunction sport steering wheel and an 8-inch touchscreen for the radio/navigation system.
Inside Line says: A full hybrid that doesn't look like a pair of sensible shoes, courtesy of VW. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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hyvolt says:
09:28 AM, 01/16/2010
VW didn't say at the car show if this was really going into production but has anyone noticed what I noticed?
Check out Edmund's Spy Video on the 2011 Jetta on youtube.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKYsxFiYqHk. If you pause it right at the 15 or 16 second mark you will see that the 4 door Jetta rear (tail lights and license plate area) is exactly the same as the rear of the NCC shown here at that car show
http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/detroit-2010-volkswagen-new-coupe-concept/#9
I'm pretty sure the NCC will go into production and I'm buying it.
machine_man says:
08:03 PM, 01/11/2010
Wow! That's a very good design. Beautiful is the only word that comes to mind. VW's finally in the building. It looks better than an Audi. With a few more like this, in the vein of the L1 and UP! Lite, VW will lead Germany in the beauty of design for me. Even my current favorite German design language, MB will have to take a close second. I still put Infiniti, Ford, ahead but not by much. If they get their dependability up, they may have a convert to the German gang in the near future.
majin_ssj_eric says:
02:36 PM, 01/11/2010
Great. Another sweet looking little coupe ruined by a stupid hybrid engine. Why can't we at least get the 2.0t from the GTi in this thing. Then I might actually buy one...
atenza94546 says:
12:56 PM, 01/11/2010
The price may still be well over $40k. Its not worth that kind of money on a VW.
rlyon says:
09:18 AM, 01/11/2010
Very nice. But I need 4 doors. Looking forward to the new Passat/NMS.
btrdayz says:
08:23 AM, 01/11/2010
Might be nice to make an R Series, with the running gear from the TTS.
throwback says:
07:30 AM, 01/11/2010
"The NCC has a top speed of 141 mph and sprints from zero to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds." This is solid performance, plus 56 mpg. VW has a winner assuming they can sell it for under 25K.
cabrio8 says:
07:09 AM, 01/11/2010
The design target must have been a BMW 3-series coupe, both in and out.
mrjost55 says:
07:08 AM, 01/11/2010
looks too good to be true, too bad it will be FWD
zoomzoomn says:
06:43 AM, 01/11/2010
Mmmmmm. Think poor man's A/S5! Schweet!!!