VW previews bold new SUV look

Cross Coupe concept hints at next Tiguan’s styling – and a possible Evoque rival

VOLKSWAGEN! PREVIEWED THE bold new look of its second- generation i guan at this week’s Tokyo show with the unveiling of a petrol-electric hybrid crossover concept called the Cross Coupe.

Sitting on the firm’s new MQB (modular transverse architecture) platform, the four-seater is described as a cross between a four-door coupe and a compact SUV, which has led many to speculate that vw is considering a second compact off-roader in the mould of the Range Rover Evoque.

However, Volkswagen sources close to design boss Walter de Silva have confirmed to Autocar that the Cross Couoe has a broader brief in previewing a newdesign lineage that will be adopted by the company’s upcoming SUV models, including the next Tiguan due out in 2014.

“We won’t rule out the possibility of adding a sportier SUV to the Volkswagen line-up at some time, but the main message with the Cross Coupe is its styling,” the sources said.

VW Cross Coupe

The Cross Coupe combines front-end styling elements first seen on the Giugjaro-penned Tex and Go concepts from this year’s Geneva show with heavily sculptured surfaces throughout.

VW Cross Coupe

Powering the Cross Coupe is a petrol-electric hybrid system capable of providing drive to either the front wheels or all four wheels via a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. It combines a turbocharged 1.4 TSI petrol engine producing 148bhp and 155lb ft of torque with a pair of brushless electric motors – one sited up front and a larger oneat the rear. The system is calibrated to provide a maximum 261bhp.

VW Cross Coupe Interior

Energy for the electric motors is supplied by a battery mounted low within the centre tunnel. Volkswagen claims an all-electric range of 25 miles at typical city speeds in front-wheel drive mode.

Despite a kerb weight of 1748kg, Volkswagen claims a 0-62mph time of just 7.0sec – 0.8sec quicker than tocay’s 2.0 TSI Tiguan. Top speed is capped at 124mph on a combination of petrol and electric power, combined fuel economy is a claimed 104.6mpg, with a CO2 output of just 62g/km.