Volkswagen CrossBlue Coupe is a green fun-machine we want to drive

Fri, 19 Apr 2013

Think back to January's Detroit Auto Show. Those of you that are fans of the Volkswagen brand, impressed with green technology or simply fall into the "diesel geek" category, will almost certainly remember VW's CrossBlue concept with its diesel/electric hybrid powertrain, seating for seven, and somewhat awkward crossover styling. It was an impressive piece of future tech, to be sure, though it left something to be desired in the, well, desirability department.

Here in Shanghai, VW has brought along a CrossBlue Coupe concept that would seem to include most of the goodness of the original, but flavored with more sport and style this time around.

The CrossBlue Coupe makes use of the same electric drive components as the larger three-row concept: two electric motors (front and rear) powered by a 9.8-kWh lithium-ion battery. However, where the original concept made use of a TDI four-cylinder, the Coupe substitutes a 295-horsepower, direct-injection, gasoline-burning V6.

In terms of performance, this combination of powertrains is impressive. Total system output is rated at 415 hp. With power flowing through a six-speed DSG transmission, the CrossBlue Coupe will scoot from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 5.9 seconds, and will continue on to a top speed of 147 mph.

The CrossBlue Coupe will scoot from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds, and will continue on to a top speed of 147 mph.

Even with that go-fast ability, however, the Coupe doesn't belie its "blue" origins. As in the original concept, the CrossBlue coupe offers all-EV operation with a maximum range of 21 miles, and a top speed of 75 mph (though likely not both of those at the same time). VW quotes a combined fuel consumption figure of 79 miles per gallon on the European cycle – 34.1 mpg when running on the V6 alone – and a total theoretical range of close to 720 miles.

The CrossBlue coupe is shorter and lower than its three-row progenitor, but just as wide. The result, as you can see, is a far sleeker and more aggressive looking crossover that looks quite planted on its 22-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, we find an interior that is quite high-tech though not unrecognizable from the VW interiors on the current line. A muted black and gray pallet is accented with brightwork and a thick yellow trim line that surrounds the cabin. There's a dominating 10.1-inch touchscreen up front, complete with proximity sensors, which is used to control all of the vehicle systems and entertainment options. In the back seats, passengers find twin iPad Mini units on the headrests (seen above), which they can use to, "enjoy audio, video and online programs." Sounds like just the thing for the family's summer road trip to the Nürburgring.

Scroll down to read the full VW press release about the CrossBlue Coupe concept, and look for live images of the car from Shanghai, as we bring you live coverage on Friday and Saturday.

VOLKSWAGEN UNVEILS CROSSBLUE COUPE CONCEPT AT THE SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW

Five-seat SUV concept is based off the new MQB architecture and features a plug-in V6 gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain

- 415-horsepower gasoline-hybrid concept is capable of 79 mpg

- The vehicle can travel up to 21 miles as an EV

- Top speed of 147 mph; 0 to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds

- Concept features dramatic new interpretation of Volkswagen design DNA

Wolfsburg / Shanghai, April 2013 - With the debut of the CrossBlue Coupé at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show, Volkswagen is giving a spectacular glimpse at the future and at a new
era of SUV design. Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design for the Volkswagen Brand, says: "The disproportionate growth in the SUV segment gives designers the opportunity to implement an even greater diversification of models. The CrossBlue Coupé shows the potential of our Volkswagen design DNA and will undoubtedly have an influence on future SUV models."

The CrossBlue Coupé has a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is as fuel-efficient as it is sporty. A turbocharged direct-injection (TSI) V6 gasoline engine works together with two electric motors to produce as much as 415 horsepower. This SUV can thus perform like a sports car, with a 0 to 62 mph time of just 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 147 mph.

Despite its impressive performance, the CrossBlue Coupé has a combined fuel consumption of just 79 mpg in the new European driving cycle (NEDC). Even when the battery is fully discharged and the vehicle is running with just the TSI engine, the gas mileage is still impressive, at 34.1 mpg. With a 21.2 gallon gas tank, this gives a theoretical range of around 720 miles.

The CrossBlue Coupé can be driven as zero emissions EV for up to 21 miles at a maximum speed of 75 mph: to intentionally use this eco-friendly mode in urban areas, the driver simply pushes a button. The concept vehicle is based off the new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) and could, if it were produced, be fitted with conventional four- and six-cylinder engines running on a variety of fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and CNG. Equipped with five comfortable seats and a spacious trunk, the CrossBlue Coupé definitely belongs to the SUV avant-garde.

Dynamic exterior design
The CrossBlue Coupé is exactly 192.5 inches long, 79.3 inches wide, and 66.1 inches high. The vehicle thus has a confident, low slung, and four-square stance that is enhanced by the wide tracks (67.3 inches at the front, 68.0 inches at the back), the relatively long 117.3-inch wheelbase, and large 22-inch aluminum-alloy wheels that are shod with 285/40 tires that were specially designed for the concept car.

Sporty side profile. The concept features a long and broad hood, a very short frontal overhang, and a long roofline. The concept's sporty stance is further improved by a very short
A-pillar and a very "fast" (swept back) C-pillar, as well as a distinctive character line. The designers have combined a dominant line-one that starts in the upper area of the rear lights and runs precisely at the height of the door handles-with a second line that begins beneath the rear lights and ends in the front fender. The space between the two lines narrows towards the front and ends beneath the A-pillar in a stylized chromed air outlet. These lines significantly reduce the SUV's visual center of gravity.

The 22-inch polished aluminum-alloy wheels also feature a new design, with five V-shaped dual spokes that have a matte finish on their inner surfaces. Five trim pieces that are painted in the body color of "CrossOrange Metallic" surround the central VW badge, presenting yet another design element.

Despite the dynamic side profile, practicality is central to this vehicle's mission. An example is the way that the doors open wide for optimal entry and egress, as well as extending down into the sill area. The ports for the gas tank and battery were uniformly integrated into the design of the CrossBlue Coupé. The fuel filler neck is located under a lid on the right side of the vehicle, with the electrical outlet cover opposite it on the left side. This consists of one socket for charging the high-voltage battery and another for connecting electric devices; this 230V/16A interface allows the CrossBlue Coupé to act as an emergency generator.

3D Front End. A key element of Volkswagen design DNA is the predominance of horizontal lines. The front end of the CrossBlue Coupé follows this to perfection, yet the designers have
created a new layout by integrating the lighting architecture into the grille area. The key elements of the front end design are the free-standing LED headlights, LED light signature, and radiator grille trim.

The radiator grille trim, consisting of two polished aluminum struts and the VW logo, is now a 3D element extending into the headlights. The lateral ends of the upper strut are used for the
Daytime Running Lights, creating a unique and very special "eyebrow" light signature. Meanwhile, the lower cross strut is a pure aluminum element that extends from beneath the free-standing LED headlights into the fenders. The entire grille unit is surrounded by a high- gloss black frame. The lines of the LED light signature extend into the lower area of the bumper, bordering the side intakes and the central radiator inlet. Skidplates are fitted under the bumper to protect the underbody.

Exclusive rear section. As with the front end, the designers sculpted a 3D look, again using aluminum elements. The upper area of the rear lights extends from the center of the trunklid
right into the fenders, carrying the side character line into the rear of the vehicle. The rear lights are highlighted by an aluminum strip, under which two more lighting elements are integrated on each side.

The prominent stainless-steel tailpipes are integrated into a polished aluminum trim panel that runs horizontally. The rugged looking anthracite-colored area on the lower edge of the rear bumper is repeated on the front bumper, on the sills, and on the wheelarch trim, giving another styling feature that runs around the entire vehicle. As at the front of the car, there are skidplates integrated into this anthracite-colored piece.

High-tech interior
An especially prominent feature of the elegant and clean interior is a horizontal dashboard graphic that extends into the side door trims. Upscale materials abound in the cabin: velvety soft Nappa leather in "Anthracite Pearl" and "Asphalto"; chrome surfaces that are polished on top and sandblasted in a matte finish on their chamfered edges; dark aluminum; naturally- treated wood accents; and "Graphite" colored Alcantara® for the roof pillars and headliner. Two-color configurable ambient lighting is matched to the vehicle drive mode: in "Eco", it matches the "CrossOrange" of the exterior paint and switches to red in "Sport". The interplay of forms, colors, and materials makes a typically masculine SUV statement, combined with an urbane ambience.
At the very top, the dashboard is framed by "Anthracite Pearl" colored leather with dark contrasting seams. Below it, a dark aluminum panel integrates the central10.1-inch infotainment display, air vents, and 12.3-inch instrument screen display. There is a delicate chrome strip on the center of this panel, with chrome surrounds on the air vents and screens.

On the next level down, an anthracite-colored spruce wood inlay extends into the door panels as well as down the center console. Below the wood inlay, there are panels covered in lighter "Asphalto" Nappa leather, with the ambient lighting running in a narrow line between the wood and leather on the dashboard.

Five comfortable seats. The seats are also upholstered in elegant Nappa leather. The individual seat panels are designed in either the dark "Anthracite Pearl" or the contrasting "Asphalto". The shading visually emphasizes the sculpting of the seats themselves. The rear
bench seat offers fore-and-aft adjustment, three backrest positions, and folds in a two- thirds/one-third fashion.

The car comes to life. As soon as the driver's door is opened, the controls come to life. When the "Engine" (Start) button is pressed, the switches for the climate and headlight control
instantly lift from rest. At the same time, all of the display layouts appear on the monitors and the ambient lighting is activated.

The uppermost level of the center console contains the buttons for the seat heaters and air circulation as well as the hazard lights switch. Beneath these, there are three knobs for the four-zone climate control: the left and right ones control the temperature, and the middle knob adjusts the fan level.

Arranged conveniently on the right side, next to the shift lever grip, are the buttons for ESC deactivation (used when driving in deep snow, for example) and for the drive modes: "Sport", "Eco", "Offroad", "Charge", and "EV" (electric driving). The shifter for the six-speed transmission has very short throws, thanks to a new drive-by-wire logic. Like a joystick, the lever continually returns to its middle position; the "D", "R" and "N" positions are activated by a short flick and "P" by a separate pushbutton that is integrated in the lever.

Infotainment touchscreen. The central10.1-inch touchscreen has proximity sensors and is used to control all the infotainment and entertainment functions, as well as to access the
status of the hybrid system. The type of representation changes according to the driving mode. For instance, when the "Sport" mode is selected, buildings that are shown in the navigation display are "suppressed" in the 3D map representation, receding for a clearer and less busy image during fast driving. On the other hand, an animated 3D representation is shown in the "Eco" mode, in which buildings rise up on the horizon like the structures in the movie "Inception".
Programmable instrument cluster. The instrument cluster is designed with analog gauges but is underpinned by user programmable software. The type of information changes between the "Eco" and "Sport" modes. In "Eco" mode, the "Powermeter" and battery status are two of the items shown in the left instrument, while the right one acts as speedometer and fuel gauge. The center dial is used to access functions such as gear selection, driving range, date and time, the weather, and navigation functionality such as distance to destination and points of interest. In "Sport" mode, the left-hand instrument shows the tachometer and displays torque and battery status at its center.

A mobile mini iPad® has been integrated in each of the head restraints of the first seating row, so that passengers in the rear seats can also fully enjoy the audio, video and online programs. Meanwhile, a Dynaudio® sound system delivers crystal-clear audio.

By Seyth Miersma