VW’s New Cross Coupe GTE Rolls Into Detroit

You can think of the Cross Coupe GTE as Volkswagen’s conceptual vision of a more affordable BMW X6 or Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe-style crossover.

If you ask VW, they’ll tell you that it offers another glimpse at the design language of their upcoming, U.S.-made mid-size SUV model series that is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB) and is slated for production towards the end of 2016.

Unlike the five-seater concept seen in Detroit, the production SUV will have a taller and longer body with seven-seats spread out in three rows (2+3+2). There’s a strong possibility that VW might end up producing a sportier version based on the Cross Coupe GTE as well, since the two cars do share the same MQB underpinnings.

The SUV concept car draws its power from a 3.6-liter V6 petrol engine and two electric motors. The conventional unit delivers 276hp (280PS) and 350Nm (258 lb-ft), while the two electric motors have an output of 40kW (54hp) and 220Nm and 85kW (114hp) and 270Nm respectively.

The lithium-ion battery housed in the center tunnel allows for a pure-electric driving range of around 20 miles or 32 kilometers.

The total output of the system is 355hp (360PS) and 280Nm, with VW quoting a 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint time of 6.0 seconds.