Electric Transport: What’s Coming and What’s Not in in 2020 (and Beyond)

More

Tesla Cybertruck unveiled, starting at $39,900

More

All-electric Lexus UX 300e introduced in Guangzhou

More

All-new Mercedes-Benz EQC priced from $67,900

More

Truemag

  • Electric Car News
  • Electric Car Reviews
  • Plug-in Hybrids
  • Technology
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Charging Map

Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Makes World Debut in Detroit

Cross-Coupe-GTEVolkswagen has unveiled a new five-seater midsize SUV concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Called the Cross Coupe 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 Detroit 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.

The Cross Coupe 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 Coupe most recently shown in Los Angeles in November 2013 and the Cross Coupe 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), and were developed with the aim of offering an SUV in North America in the near future that is consistently tailored to the US market.

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 Coupe GTE measures 4,847 mm long, 1,736 mm high and 2,030 mm wide.  Commenting on its appearance, Klaus Bischoff, chief designer at Volkswagen said: ‘The concept car has a commanding presence; it is powerful with a look that could almost be described as aggressive.  Numerous details hint at how we envisage a future production SUV model for North America.’

Powering the Cross Coupe 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 Coupe GTE, which has a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h), accelerates to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds.  The Cross Coupe GTE can be driven in five different power modes: E-Mode, Hybrid, GTE, Offroad and Battery Hold / Battery Charge.

In E-Mode, activated at the press of a button, the Cross Coupe GTE can travel in zero-emission mode for up to 20 miles or 32 km, and in this case the 85 kW rear axle electric motor alone drives the vehicle, with the V6 FSI decoupled from the drivetrain by disengaging the clutch and shutting down.  But as soon as the six-cylinder engine needs to be restarted due to the battery charge status or other parameters, it engages smoothly in the drivetrain again in a fraction of a second. The Cross Coupe GTE has a manufacturer-estimated fuel economy rating of 70 MPGe.

The Cross Coupe GTE also has a number of different driving profiles: Onroad (with the sub-modes Comfort and Eco), Offroad (with Rocks, Sludge & Sand and Gravel), Sport and Snow, and each of these changes the set-up and driving characteristics of the car.  Needless to say, the Offroad drive mode is particularly important for an SUV and all four wheels are powered as soon as the driver activates this mode.  If Offroad is engaged and the battery state of charge is low, the front electric motor is employed exclusively as a generator that is driven by the V6 FSI in order to provide the power for its counterpart on the rear axle.  As the power to drive the rear axle flows by wire and not mechanically, it is referred to as an ‘electric cardan shaft’.  Due to the fact that the FSI drives the rear electric motor via the front electric motor in off-road mode, all-wheel drive is available even when the battery has a low state of 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 Coupe 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.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]

Jan 12, 2015Blagojce Krivevski

GM Plans Chevrolet Bolt EV With 200-mile Range2016 Chevrolet Volt to Offer 50-mile EV Range [video]
You Might Also Like
 
Volkswagen Group China, JAC and SEAT sign new deal, driving forward e-mobility in China
 
The new Volkswagen Passat GTE with longer electric range
Blagojce Krivevski

Blagojce Krivevski is physicist and green technology lover. Keep in touch with Blagojce through his email, web site, Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook and Google+.

January 12, 2015 Electric Car News, Plug-in Hybrids2015 detroit auto show, Cross Coupe GTE, Detroit Auto Show, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Cross Coupe, Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram
  • feedburner
Recent News
Race car meets production model: Volkswagen ID.R and ID.3 at the Essen Motor Show
November 29, 2019
Better efficiency and longer range: technical update for the Audi e-tron
November 28, 2019
Volkswagen delivers 100,000th e-Golf
November 28, 2019
ABB technology in 40 fast-charging stations across Sweden for Vattenfall
November 28, 2019
Mercedes-Benz launches “Enjoy Electric.” campaign for the EQC SUV
November 27, 2019
About
ElectricCarsReport.com ElectricCarsReport.com is a website dedicated to pure electric vehicles and the full range of consumer information and tools about electric cars, green technology energy, and the environment.
Latest News
Race car meets production model: Volkswagen ID.R and ID.3 at the Essen Motor Show
November 29, 2019
Better efficiency and longer range: technical update for the Audi e-tron
November 28, 2019
Volkswagen delivers 100,000th e-Golf
November 28, 2019
Subscribe

Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news and event postings.

Get in touch

Email: [email protected]

Archives
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram
  • feedburner
DMCA.com
2019 © ElectricCarsReport.com | All Rights Reserved.