Volkswagen CrossBlue Plug-in Hybrid Coupé SUV 2013

Wolfsburg/Shanghai, April 2013. At the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show, Volkswagen is giving the public a spectacular glimpse of the future − and of a new SUV design era − in presenting the world premiere of the CrossBlue Coupé. Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design for the Volkswagen Brand: “The disproportionately high growth in the SUV segment gives us designers the opportunity to implement an even stronger diversification of models. In the CrossBlue Coupé we are showing the potential of our Volkswagen design DNA.

 This concept vehicle will undoubtedly have an influence on future SUV models.” The Head of Design continues: “The CrossBlue Coupé lives by a harmonious triad: rugged in appearance, sporty in proportions and showing a reserved elegance in its sculptural shapes and lines.” Oliver Stefani, lead designer for the project on Klaus Bischoff’s design team: “A highlight is the front-end design of the CrossBlue Coupé. The established theme of horizontal lines as a brand signature is perfected by complete integration of the headlights. Distinctive chrome accents in the lower area emphasise the SUV character of the CrossBlue Coupé and are intuitively perceived as corresponding to the upper grille.”

Dynamic sports car performance. The CrossBlue Coupé is powered by a plug-in hybrid system that is as fuel efficient as it is sporty. A V6 turbo direct petrol injection engine (TSI) works together with two electric motors here; maximum system power is as much as 305 kW/415 PS. When the car’s full power potential is utilised, the SUV becomes a sports car: The Volkswagen accelerates to 100 km/h in a mere 5.9 seconds, and its maximum speed is 236 km/h.

Fuel efficiency of a compact. Despite its impressive dynamic performance, the CrossBlue Coupé has a combined fuel consumption of just 3.0 l/100 km (in the new European driving cycle or NEDC). Even in hybrid mode fuel consumption (sub-cycle with discharged battery powered by just the TSI drive), the SUV − which is nearly 4.9 metres in length − consumes just 6.9 l/100 km of fuel. This value enables a theoretical range of around 1,190 kilometres (with a fuel tank capacity of 80 litres) before the car needs to be refuelled.

Zero emissions in the city. The CrossBlue Coupé can be driven in all-electric mode, i.e. without any emissions at all, over a distance of up to 33 kilometres (at a maximum speed of 120 km/h). To intentionally use this especially eco-friendly mode in urban areas, the driver can push a button to select the all-electric drive mode. As a production vehicle, the concept vehicle − which is based on the new modular transverse matrix (MQB) − could also be fitted with conventional drive systems (four and six-cylinder engines) configured for a wide variety of fuels (petrol, diesel, CNG).

Comfort of a premium class SUV. This Volkswagen, equipped with five comfortable seats and a boot that can hold up to 1,101 litres of luggage, depending on the configuration, belongs to the SUV avant-garde, both technically and visually. The CrossBlue Coupé is also one of the safest SUVs worldwide thanks to the electronic stabilisation programme, an all-wheel drive with “propshaft by wire” that is engineered for dynamic performance and safety and up to ten airbags.

Dynamic exterior design - Sharp proportions. The CrossBlue Coupé is exactly 4,889 mm long, 2,015 mm wide and just 1,679 mm high. These dimensions give the CrossBlue Coupé a very low-profile, very wide and extended appearance that expresses exceptional confidence together with its large track widths (1,709 mm front, 1,726 mm rear), 2,980 mm wheelbase that is extremely long in relation to the exterior length and 22-inch alloy wheels (with 285/44 tyres) that were specially designed for the concept car.

Efficient and dynamic drive technology - MQB as high-tech alliance. The technical basis of the CrossBlue Coupé is the new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) of Volkswagen AG. Within the MQB, certain parameters are maintained uniformly across model series and brands – such as the mounting orientations of all engines.

The modular component system also offers variable parameters that can be optimally and individually implemented in a wide variety of models. They include the wheelbase (CrossBlue Coupé: 2,980 mm), track widths and wheel sizes. All new MQB models are designed so that – along with the classic types of drive systems (petrol and diesel
engines) – they can always be built as natural gas, hybrid or E-models as well.

Efficient alliance of V6 TSI and E-motor. In the concept car now being presented in Shanghai, the MQB front suspension and four-link rear suspension, the electromechanical MQB steering, the 220 kW/299 PS V6 TSI of the EA390 engine series and an automatic 6-speed DSG (DQ 400 E) meld with electrical components. They include the lithium-ion battery in the centre tunnel as well as the front E-motor with 40 kW and the rear E-motor with 85 kW.

Maximum fuel economy. With its combination of pioneering fuel economy and the highest standards of driving dynamics, the CrossBlue Coupé – which can be driven to a top speed of 236 km/h – is an SUV that is as efficient as it is sporty. As already noted, one of the most innovative plug-in hybrid systems ever (V6 TSI + two E-motors + dual-clutch gearbox + “propshaft by wire”) has let Volkswagen achieve a predicted fuel consumption of 3.0 l/100 km for the all-wheel drive SUV according to the European standard for electric hybrid vehicles ECE-R101.

Maximum dynamic performance. Despite its tremendous efficiency, the 305 kW CrossBlue Coupé exhibits dynamic performance. The SUV completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in an extremely short 5.9 seconds. Its V6 TSI develops a maximum torque of 500 Newton meters from low revs starting at 1,800 rpm. The electric motors also make a powerful appearance. In the CrossBlue Coupé, the electric motors contribute 180 Newton meters (front) and 270 Newton meters (rear). In boosting – when the full power potentials of the engine and electric motors are combined – the drive system can produce a total system torque of up to 700 Newton meters.

Zero emissions whenever possible. The CrossBlue Coupé can be driven in five different operating modes: “Eco,” “Sport,” “Offroad,” “EV” and “Charge”. The default mode, in which the Volkswagen is started, is the classic “Eco” hybrid mode; it optimally manages use of the drive sources. The electric motors are used for propulsive power as often as possible in this mode. The driver can switch to the Sport mode by pressing a button; in this case, the vehicle exploits the maximum power of the drive system. As described above, there are also an Offroad mode (permanent all-wheel drive), EV mode (driving with zero emissions)
and a Charge mode (battery charging).

EV mode. Powered by its lithium-ion battery, the CrossBlue Coupé can cover a distance of up to 33 km in pure electric mode; in this mode, its top speed is limited to 120 km/h. In EV mode, only the 85 kW E-motor at the rear axle provides propulsion. In all-electric driving, the V6 TSI is decoupled from the drivetrain by opening the clutch, and the engine is shut off. As soon as there is a need for TSI power − because of the battery charge state or other parameters − it is coupled to the drivetrain again, jolt-free, within fractions of a second.

Battery in the centre tunnel. In all-electric driving, the E-motors are supplied with energy from one of the eight modules that make up the lithium-ion battery. The battery has an energy capacity of 9.8 kWh and is housed in the centre tunnel. The power electronics unit – which is integrated in the front engine compartment and operates at a voltage level of around 375 Volt – manages the flow of high-voltage energy to and from the battery and the electric motors. Meanwhile, a DC/DC converter supplies the body electrical system with the 12 Volt electrical power it requires. The electric drive system does not impose any limitations on interior space whatsoever. The battery can be charged either by external power sources (230 Volt connections) or while driving.

Charging at the push of a button. The driver can intentionally switch over to Charge mode (by pressing another button on the centre console). In this mode, the battery is charged by petrol engine while driving, e.g. so that enough electrical energy can be stored in the battery for later zero-emissions driving at a destination in an urban area. Various other operating modes, described below, are automatically set as a function of the specific driving situation.

Coasting. As soon as the driver releases the accelerator pedal, the engine and electric motors are decoupled from the drivetrain, provided that the battery is sufficiently charged. This is referred to as “coasting”. No emissions are generated here either.

Battery regeneration mode. Whenever the driver releases the accelerator pedal or applies the brakes, and the battery is insufficiently charged, the two electric motors act as generators and feed energy recovered from the brakes into the lithium-ion battery. Inthis case,
the TSI is also shut off and decoupled from the drivetrain.

Boosting. When very sporty performance is called for, the E-motors form an alliance with the TSI. This combining of forces is known as “boosting”, in which the CrossBlue Coupé is driven by all four wheels.

Offroad with “propshaft by wire.” All four wheels are also driven whenever the driver intentionally activates Offroad mode (once again by pressing a button on the centre console). In this case, and when the battery’s charge is low, the front electric motor – which is now supplied with energy by the V6 TSI – operates exclusively as a generator and supplies electrical power to its counterpart at the rear axle. Since the energy for driving the rear wheels flows by wire and not mechanically, this is referred to as “propshaft by wire”. The all-wheel drive system is still operational, even when the battery is in a low charge state, because the TSI drives the rear E-motor via the front E-motor in Offroad mode.

Driving with the TSI. When the petrol engine is the sole source of propulsive power, the CrossBlue Coupé is a pure front-wheel drive vehicle. The concept car is still very fuel efficient here, because of the efficient technology of the turbocharged six-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection. Another indication of the V6 TSI’s efficiency is what is known as “hybrid fuel consumption”; this is measured in a sub-cycle of the European ECE-R101 standard, in which the CrossBlue Coupé is driven with a fully discharged battery, so that it is essentially only powered by the TSI engine. This test yields a very good combined fuel consumption of 6.9 l/100 km.

Wallpapers : Volkswagen CrossBlue Plug-in Hybrid Coupé SUV 2013 ( click on image to enlarge)

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