Volkswagen premieres Cross Coupe concept in Tokyo

The show is on at Tokyo, as Japan seeks to tell the world that business is very much as usual despite the devastating effects of the horrific Sendai earthquake in March this year. Poor response to the 2009 show as well as damage done by the quake has led to speculation that the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show would be canceled altogether.

But if there’s one thing we know about the Japanese is that they are both resourceful and determined. The show is not only on, but it is generating actual excitement amongst followers of the industry thanks to a number of notable world debuts staged not only by Japanese manufacturers, but the European carmakers as well. Tokyo 2011 will be remembered as the venue where the Toyota GT-86, BMW ActiveHybrid5, and Audi A1 Sportback made their first public bows.

Volkswagen’s contribution to proceedings in Tokyo is the Cross Coupe concept, which is Wolfsburg’s take on a cross between a four-door coupe and a compact SUV. It is a familiar formula, but this is not Wolfsburg’s answer to the BMW X6; it is not big enough to be one. Measuring 4,345mm by 1,868mm with a wheelbase of 2,630mm, the Cross Coupe is in fact smaller than the Tiguan, but bigger than the Golf.

It is not made particularly clear if a production version will follow, but we wouldn’t bet against it. Either way, watch the styling cues of this one carefully, it will serve as the design language basis of Volkswagen’s next generation of vehicles, in particular their SUV line-up. It also has working underpinnings, being based on the Volkswagen’s new modular transverse platform that will underpin the next generation Golf and Audi A3 amongst a raft of vehicles.

Propulsion is supplied by three sources merged to form a plug-in hybrid system. Up front is a 54hp / 180Nm electric motor paired to a TSI engine with output of 148hp and 210Nm. The engine’s size is not disclosed, but judging from its outputs and the fact that it should be compact, our money is on it being the 1.4-litre mill in either turbocharged or twincharged format. This pair sends their work to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG.

At the rear axle is a second motor rated at 114hp and 270Nm. The two axles are not mechanically connected, and this setup mirrors that of the Lexus RX 450h to name one example. Total system output is 261hp. The pair of electric motors are able to power the Cross Coupe without help from the TSI engine for a good 45km.

Volkswagen’s tests based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) yield fuel consumption figures of 2.7 litres/100km and CO₂ emissions of 62 g/km. In the real world, however, VW is promising a more modest 815km range in hybrid mode for a full tank of 55 litres (that’s 6.4 litres/100km). Performance-wise, the Cross Coupe completes the century sprint in seven seconds and maxes out just one over the double ton. In pure electric mode, however, max speed is restricted to 120kph.

The other VW debut in Tokyo is the Passat Alltrack, similar in concept, but unrelated to the Audi Allroad models. Essentially a raised Passat estate with rugged styling bits, the Passat Alltrack is aimed to serve those with needs for a versatile, sporty and very roomy passenger car that has rugged qualities. Towing and light off-roading are two tasks that the Passat Alltrack is supposed to excel in.

Four powertrain options are available – two petrol and two diesel – all four-cylinder units featuring turbocharging and direct injection. Petrol power is available in 158hp and 208hp guises, whilst diesel power is served in 138hp and 168hp guises. All-wheel drive is standard for the 168hp TDI and 208hp TSI models, and offered as an option for the 138hp TDI model. In its default setting, the VW 4Motion system apportions only 10% of engine torque to the rear to save fuel. An electro-hydraulic all-wheel coupling channels more power to the rear when situations call for it.

KON

Pictures: Official Volkswagen release.