The Volkswagen Cross Coupe has its world premiere today at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show. Even though VW calls the new Cross Coupe an SUV, we'd rather call it a space age looking crossover (it's just an inch / 26 mm longer than the Tiguan). The Volkswagen Cross Coupe is a four-door crossover, with a 2,630 mm wheelbase, short overhangs overhangs (855 mm / 33.7 inches and at the front and 860 mm / 33.9 inches at the back) and wide tracks (1,585 mm / 62.4-inch front and 1,613 mm / 63.5-inch rear). VW's Cross Coupe measures 4,345 mm (171.1 inches) in length, 1,868 mm (73.5 inches) in width and 1,523 mm (60.0 inches) in height.
The Cross Coupe has a muscular, but elegant look, which would look nice in front of any chich downtown restaurant.
However, Volkswagen built the Cross Coupe for off-road duty. It has a 24.2 degrees front approach angle and a 32.5 degrees rear departure angle. It also has a pretty high ground clearance and it's all-wheel-drive.
The Cross Coupe is Volkswagen's first model to be built in the group's 'modular transverse matrix', or MQB. From out understanding, the Cross Coupe previews the future 'face' of Volkswagen. The new grille and headlights of the Cross Coupe mimic the ones of the future model to bear the VW logo.
Volkswagen's Cross Coupe distinguishes itself through new LED taillights, a fat rear bumper and twin tailpipes.
To power the new coupe crossover, Volkswagen employs the help of two electric motors and a petrol engine. The tow electric units power one of the axles each, and have an output of 40 kW / 180 Nm of torque (front) and 85 kW / 270 Nm (rear). The TSI petrol internal combustion engine, equipped with turbocharging, develops 265 hp. The Volkswagen Cross Coupe is rated with a top speed of 125 mph and a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration time of 7 seconds. VW says that the new Cross Coupe can travel for up to 40 km on electric power only.
The Cross Coupe brings an innovation to the Volkswagen group. Its AWD system features a so-called 'electric drive shaft', with the rear wheels being powered by an electric motor. The front electric motor acts as a generator for the rear one, while it gets its power from the TSI engine. The lithium ion battery is held in the central tunnel of the Cross Coupe.
The full specifications, features and other details of the Volkswagen Cross Coupe can be found here.
The Volkswagen Cross Coupe is currently in a concept form, but we're sure that VW will put it into production soon. Meanwhile, watch the Volkswagen Cross-Coupe in action on video lower down this page.
Volkswagen Cross Coupe video:
