The new VW Cross Coupe GTE is Volkswagen’s big news at this week’s Detroit motor show.
It’s the third in a series of Cross Coupe styling exercises, previewing the US-market SUV due to be built at the company’s Chattanooga factory in Tennessee from late 2016.
What, so no chance of this coming to Europe?
The GTE is described as a ’five-seater midsize SUV… previewing Volksagen’s new US design language, combining German engineering with the American way of life.’
While it overtly previews the American model, it’s interesting to note the footprint of this compact SUV. It’s 4847mm long, making it very close in size to the Touareg.
Word is the Cross Coupe GTE will influence European design too. Don’t forget the Touareg is due for replacement in 2016…
Engineering, spec of Cross Coupe
Sizing is relative, of course. The Americans may call this a mid-sized crossover whereas the Touareg reference over here of course means that it’s pretty huge.
Yet despite the size, it’s based on the MQB modular transverse architecture, linking it to the Golf family set. It’s nothing if not flexible.
The Cross Coupe GTE is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 twinned with a pair of electric motors. Combined, they produce 355bhp which enables a 0-60mph time of 6.0sec.
Yet, this 4×4 can run in full electric mode as well, for zero-emisisons running around town.