Volkswagen Plug-in Hybrid Cross Coupe GTE Concept 2015

Detroit January 2015- At the start of every new year, automotive experts come together at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. This year, Volkswagen's presentation is focusing on the striking Cross Coupé GTE. With the world premiere of the five-seater SUV concept car, the carmaker from Wolfsburg is offering a further preview of the latest SUV model series that is fitted with a sporty and economical V6 plug-in hybrid drive for the first time.

The Cross Coupé GTE is painted in "Grand pacific glacier" blue and combines high efficiency with a powerful design. This is demonstrated in particular by the exterior design that is characterized by precise edges on the long engine hood and a very high front section. The side profile with the A-pillar set a long way to the back and the striking sloping C-pillars are further distinctive features of the design that has a clear focus on sporty exclusiveness, yet also emphasizes the robustness of the large SUV. Large 22-inch alloy wheels with ten highly polished spokes round off the look of the concept car to perfection.

The new design language is also found in the interior of the Cross Coupé GTE. For example, the consistent horizontal structure of the instrument panel creates a clearly arranged, spacious and yet also progressive atmosphere. This is also thanks to the seamlessly integrated displays and chrome elements that open up a new dimension of information and operating quality with interactive gesture control.
The seats come in elegant bi-color nappa leather. A dark "Ink Blue" creates a bucket effect for the comfortable sports seats, while the seat centre panels feature perforated leather. What's more, attachments for tablets are incorporated in the headrests of the rear seats. The Volkswagen "Media Control" app enables the tablets to access various infotainment functions via WLAN.

The SUV concept car is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and two electric motors. The six-cylinder direct-injection engine (FSI) delivers power of 206 kW/280 PS and maximum torque of 350 Nm. The two electric motors have power output of 40 kW and 220 Nm and 85 kW and 270 Nm respectively. The total output of the system adds up to 265 kW/360 PS. With this full power, the Cross Coupé GTE, which has a top speed of up to 209 km/h, accelerates to 60 mph (97 km/h) in just 6.0 seconds. Thanks to the lithium-ion battery in the centre tunnel (energy content of 14.1 kWh), the Cross Coupé GTE can travel a distance of 32 kilometers powered purely by electricity.

The driver can use the GTE button to switch to GTE mode and activate the particularly agile side of the concept car. This makes the accelerator pedal, gearbox and steering characteristic even sportier. In addition, the FSI and the electric motors work together in GTE mode during boosting to deliver the full system output and the maximum system torque.

After the Cross Blue concept car previously shown in Detroit, the Cross Coupé GTE now offers a further look ahead at the new mid-size SUV model series that is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). The Cross Blue production model will be built at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant and presented next year.

At the end of 2016, Volkswagen of America will start production of one of the most important new models for the company in the last five decades in Chattanooga, Tennessee: a seven-seater mid-size SUV. The countdown for the premiere of the all-rounder with a length of around five meters (approx. 197 inches) has started. As a trailer to this new automotive blockbuster, Volkswagen is now presenting the five-seater Cross Coupé GTE at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS, 12–25 January 2014) in Detroit: an exclusive SUV with a plug-in hybrid system, all-wheel drive via an "electric cardan shaft," maximum system output of 265 kW / 360 PS and a range of 70 MPGe1. Klaus Bischoff, chief designer at Volkswagen says "The Cross Coupé GTE is the ambassador of a new design language developed by Volkswagen for the U.S." And he continues: "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. The underlying concept combines German engineering and design with the style of the automotive "American way of life". And that means high efficiency, clear and powerful lines, logical operation and supreme quality – combined with lots of space, superior performance figures and extremely good comfort.

Sporty and fuel-efficient.

The acronym "GTE" describes the special concept of the Cross Coupé and generally applies to all Volkswagen models with plug-in hybrid drive – they are superior sporty vehicles with high-tech engines. They offer the touring characteristics of a grand tourer (Gran Turismo = GT) and, thanks to one or more electric motors and a battery (accounting for the "E" – as in Electric – in the acronym) that can also be charged externally, zero-emission driving is also possible. In Europe, the first GTE is already on the market and the second is waiting in the wings. They are able to drive longer distances in all-electric mode. The SUV presented in Detroit also becomes a zero-emission vehicle over distances of up to 20 miles or 32 kilometers (due to different type approval procedures the electric ranges for the USA and Europe cannot be compared on a 1:1 basis.) All GTE models can be driven in various operating modes. The Cross Coupé GTE has the programs "E-Mode," "GTE," "Hybrid," "Offroad" and "Battery Hold / Battery Charge".
Innovative technological matrix. The Cross Coupé GTE is the third concept car presented by Volkswagen on the way to the production version of the mid-size SUV. Together, all three concept cars – the CrossBlue presented in Detroit in January 2013, the CrossBlue Coupé most recently shown in Los Angeles in November 2013 and the Cross Coupé GTE that is now being presented at the NAIAS – represent just a part of the wide spectrum of SUV variants that can be realized on the basis of the modular transverse matrix (MQB) developed by Volkswagen. They were developed with the aim of offering an SUV in North America in the near future that is consistently tailored to the U.S. market.

One car, all drive types. The design of the Cross Coupé GTE is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB) developed by Volkswagen. This matrix is one of the most innovative technical platforms worldwide, since MQB enables Volkswagen not only to offer a model with conventional drive types (gasoline and diesel engines) but also to realize them as a plug-in hybrid, a natural gas version and as zero-emission vehicles (pure electric drive and hydrogen fuel cell). This means that the Cross Coupé GTE, too, can be realized with every conceivable drive type.

3.6 FSI and two electric motors. The SUV concept car is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors. The six-cylinder direct-injection engine (FSI) delivers power of 206 kW / 280 PS and maximum torque of 350 Nm. 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 center tunnel, with energy content of 14.1 kWh. The total output of the drive system adds up to 265 kW / 360 PS. With this full power, the Cross Coupé GTE, which has a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h), accelerates to 60 mph (97 km/h) in just 6.0 seconds.

Driving profiles. The following driving profiles are available for the Cross Coupé GTE: "Onroad" (with the sub-modes "Comfort" and "Eco"), "Offroad" (with "Rocks," "Sludge & Sand" and "Gravel"), "Sport" and "Snow". The driving profiles change the setup of the SUV.

Drive modes. The Cross Coupé GTE can be driven in five different modes, which are intuitive to use: "E-Mode," "Hybrid," "GTE," "Offroad" and "Battery Hold / Battery Charge".

Volkswagen Plug-in Hybrid Cross Coupe GTE Concept 2015 9

Volkswagen Plug-in Hybrid Cross Coupe GTE Concept 2015 10

"E-Mode". Thanks to the lithium-ion battery in the center tunnel, the Cross Coupé GTE can travel, as described, a distance of up to 20 miles (32 kilometers) powered purely by electricity. In E-Mode, which is activated when the driver presses a button, the 85 kW rear axle electric motor alone drives the vehicle. In all-electric mode, the V6 FSI is decoupled from the drivetrain by disengaging the clutch and shut down. 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. A lithium-ion battery, with energy content of 14.1 kWh, supplies energy to the electric motors. Power electronics integrated in the front engine compartment manage the flow of high-voltage energy from and to the battery and to the electric motors. The 12 volt electrical system is supplied by a DC/DC converter. The battery is charged via external power sources or while driving.

"Hybrid". The concept car starts in "Hybrid Mode" by default. The Cross Coupé GTE is then a classic full hybrid that charges the battery via regenerative braking and automatically uses the FSI and/or the electric motor depending on the drive situation. In this mode, the battery state of charge is kept constant; the driver can also actively influence this with the battery hold function.

"Coasting". As soon as the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator and the battery is sufficiently charged, the engine and all motors are shut down and disengaged from the drivetrain. This is called "coasting" and does not produce any emissions either.
"Recuperation Mode". If the driver removes his or her foot from the accelerator or brakes when the battery is not sufficiently charged, both electric motors work as generators and feed the energy generated during braking to the lithium-ion battery. In this case, too, the FSI is shut down and disengaged.
Driving with the FSI. When the gasoline engine alone is powering the vehicle, the concept car is a purely front-wheel-drive vehicle. Thanks to the efficient technology of the six-cylinder direct injection engine, the Cross Coupé GTE continues to be very economical.

"GTE". The driver uses the GTE button to switch to GTE mode and activate the particularly agile side of the concept car. This makes the accelerator pedal, transmission and steering characteristics even sportier. In addition, the FSI and the electric motors work together in "GTE Mode" during "boosting" to deliver the full system output and the maximum system torque.

"Offroad". Needless to say, the "Offroad" drive mode is particularly important for an SUV. All four wheels are powered as soon as the driver activates this mode. In this case and when 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, we speak of 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. This means that the Cross Coupé SUV features an off-road capable all-wheel drive even as a plug-in-hybrid version.

"Battery Charge / Battery Hold". The dual mode "Battery Hold" (energy content of the battery stays constant) and "Battery Charge" (battery is charged whilst driving) is activated via a sub-menu in the infotainment system. It serves to deliberately drive in all-electric mode ("E-Mode"), for example when reaching an urban destination, without producing any emissions.

Please note:
TDI, TSI and DSG are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and in other countries.
All fuel economy and driving performance figures given in this press release are estimated values as of December 2014.
1 = US EPA standard adapted for hybrid vehicles with full utilization of the battery charge; highway and city cycle combined.
2 = New European Driving Cycle for cars with plug-in hybrid drive.