- VW's sporty off-road concept features a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
- VW describes the Cross Coupe as "part four-door coupe, part compact SUV."
- The concept "hints at the future of SUV design at Volkswagen."
TOKYO — Volkswagen's sporty Cross Coupe off-road concept, which makes its global debut at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show, is significant in several respects. Built on the automaker's new MQB modular platform, the compact crossover provides a sharp glimpse into the company's plans for plug-in hybrid powertrains, as well as a better sense of VW's evolving design language.
The all-wheel-drive concept falls in size between the VW Golf hatchback and the Tiguan crossover — both of which will eventually share the MQB architecture when their replacements hit the market — but looks like neither.
Stylistically, the Cross Coupe has more in common with the redesigned Passat, at least from the front. The four-place concept, according to VW, is "part four-door coupe, part compact SUV," with a relatively long wheelbase and short overhangs. Created under the direction of Walter de Silva and Klaus Bischoff, the Cross Coupe "hints at the future of SUV design at Volkswagen."
The concept looks more aggressive than many of the company's current models, with bulging fenders that shroud 265/45R20 tires on 20-inch alloy wheels.
Power comes from a plug-in hybrid system that bundles a pair of electric motors — one in front and one in back — with a small direct-injection gasoline engine that does double duty as both a generator and a source of motive power for the front wheels. Power is stored in a lithium-ion battery pack, which is designed to plug into a 230-volt outlet.
The TSI gas engine makes 148 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque and is mated with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. The 40kW electric motor in front delivers 133 lb-ft and the 85kW motor in the rear produces 199 lb-ft. The combined system is rated at a maximum 262 hp and is capable of driving only the front or all four wheels.
The combination is peppy, providing 0-60 acceleration in less than 7.0 seconds, with a top speed of 125 mph. In pure electric mode, the Cross Coupe has a range of up to 25 miles; top speed is limited to 75 mph. Average fuel economy on the new European driving cycle is 87 mpg, giving the concept a theoretical range of well over 500 miles.
The driver can switch among three modes — City, Sport and Off-Road. There is also a user-programmable instrument cluster behind the three-spoke steering wheel. The cabin is outfitted with four individual sport bucket seats and such details as aluminum rotary switches and a touchscreen display that controls and monitors such functions as navigation and infotainment.
Inside Line says: More personality than the Tiguan — if that's not damning with faint praise.
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jrhoglund1 says:
07:00 PM, 12/25/2011
I Really Like It.
ducatimechanic says:
08:33 AM, 12/03/2011
The drivetrain sounds like a very good design (and something that other vehicles could benefit from).
Gasoline engine in the front.
Electric motor to assist in the front.
Electric motor to assist in the rear.
Battery pack somewhere in the mid-rear.
What I'm a bit puzzled about is why they'd go to all the trouble of making a vehicle like this and not make it a wagon / hatchback? If you're going to try and sell it on utility, being able to fold down the rear seats and really put some stuff in there will be very important.
Also, some well designed roof rack rails that could be stored in the back of the vehicle and then installed when needed for transportation of over sized items (like a 4'x8' sheet of plywood) would be appreciated.
p00pman says:
06:53 AM, 12/02/2011
i wish vw would realize that grill style is stupid already.
wessell says:
12:21 PM, 12/01/2011
I like it. Kind of looks like a smaller (original) Infiniti FX-35/45 from the rear and rear quarter panel view. Nice and chunky. The grill treatment leaves a little to be desired- but handsome. Looks a lot like the Audi Q3 concept, no? This does not look like a BMW X6.
damaje says:
09:07 AM, 12/01/2011
Nice looking interior as usual from VW, but the xterior is horrible. It is great that you guys made the poor mans, well middle class man's CLS, but nobody wants a poor or middleclass man's x6.
scott230 says:
08:52 AM, 12/01/2011
Looks great with great power and mileage, I would buy one! Pretty soon it will be hard to unload a car that develops 20 mpg with more vehicles developing over 80 mpg.
urbansophistic says:
08:05 AM, 12/01/2011
@keptman
I see that, but what I see more is the Honda Crosstour/CRV/Odyssey grill integration, too. I swear these car designers have all run out of new ideas.
keptman says:
07:37 AM, 12/01/2011
Does anyone else see a little 3 bar Ford Fusion in that front grill and headlights?
urbansophistic says:
12:07 PM, 11/30/2011
While I'm not very fond of the swollen and stuffed exterior,
I absolutely love the interior design. It has the unique distinction of being conceptual but still looking like it could be in a current production vehicle.
Seriously, give me the heavly bolstered, high-contrast seats any day.
Just my thoughts.
nj2481 says:
11:06 AM, 11/30/2011
For those of you whining about how this is a new phenomenon and goes against what VW is, please brush up on your history.
The MK2 VW Golf Country was this vehicle's spiritual predecessor and was an excellent vehicle.
There are some people who need AWD and some extra ground clearance, but don't want a Jeep.
The only question is: will this thing come with a manual???