VW Unveils Plug-in Crossover Concept In Tokyo
- Dec 01, 2011 2:02 PM EST
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At the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Volkswagen has unveiled an all wheel drive plug-in hybrid that's part SUV, part four door sedan.
Called the Cross Coupé, the car isn't actually a coupe, but instead a crossover vehicle that the company believes could be "the future of SUV design at Volkswagen." It features both a front and rear electric engine combined with a direct injection gas motor. VW claims an electric range of 45 kilometers (nearly 28 miles) on a single charge and fuel consumption of 87 miles per gallon.
The combination of the three different motors gives the Cross Coupé an estimated 262 horsepower and a range of just over 530 miles on a single tank of fuel.
As with many hybrid vehicles, the VW concept utilizes regenerative braking to charge its lithium ion battery using the power generated during braking. The driver can also choose to recharge the battery via the gas engine with a simple button press. VW envisions this option for drivers who may be entering in zero-emissions vehicles only areas, and thus would need a fully charged battery to drive off of.
VW has made no indication that it plans to turn the concept into a production model.