VW Cross Coupe – The SUV of The Future
The SUV of the Future may soon become a reality – the Volkswagen Cross Coupe was on display at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show recently as a concept, but I saw an actual running model at the Volkswagen Group night prior to the show. It is mind boggling to imagine that a 1,858 kg 4Wd vehicle capable of 220 km/h and a zero to hundred km/h acceleration time of 6.5 seconds can be rated with 1.8 litres/100 km fuel consumption – it does not matter that this is under New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test conditions, and real world numbers may vary up to 10 or 20 percent – even if it doubles, the consumption would be lower than any hybrid currently available. CO2 emission is a mere 46g/km. Just as impressive is a torque output of 400Nm from the engine alone, and a combined total torque of 700Nm when the motors are included.
The VW Cross Coupe on show was developed on an earlier concept Cross Coupe plug-in hybrid concept unveiled in December 2011 using a gasoline powered turbocharged TSI engine and two electric motors, with a fuel consumption of 2.7 litres/100 km – the latest version is equipped with a turbo-diesel engine instead. Technically speaking, the Cross Coupe design is based on the new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) from Volkswagen AG – what this means is that certain design parameters are standardised across model series and brands – such as the distance between the accelerator pedal and the front wheel axis and the mounting position for all engines. There are also variable factors such as wheelbase, track widths and wheel sizes – that make it possible to optimally and individually develop a wide variety of models.
In the new Cross Coupe, the MQB approach sets the stage for the new generation of SUVs using MQB front and rear suspensions, a 190 PS engine, and a 6-speed DSG, merged with electrical components also made by Volkswagen. They include lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries placed in the centre tunnel, and an electric motor each in the front and rear. The modular systems used in the concept vehicle can theoretically be used to produce a full hybrid, or an electric vehicle, or just a vehicle with an internal combustion engine – that is how flexible it is.
The drive system has five driving modes – in pure E mode, activated by pressing an ‘EV’ button next to the gear lever, the vehicle runs on electric power alone, with speed limited to 120 km/r, and a range of up to 45 kilometres. This is sufficient driving distance for most of the world’s commuters to drive to work with zero emissions. In E mode, the driver can select ‘CITY’ driving, in which case, the system optimises the battery by powering only the rear electric motor. The driver can also select dynamic E-Mode (SPORT), in which case, both the front and rear motors are engaged. In pure electric driving, the engine is decoupled from the drive train by means of a clutch, and does not turn, and the gearbox is also disengaged. The Cross Coupe runs on EV mode as long as there is sufficient battery power – the engine will kick in seamlessly when the charge in the battery drops below a certain level, and the drive train is coupled within fractions of a second. In pure electric mode, the driver can select EV-CITY for economy, EV-SPORT for spirited performance. The driver can also select SPORT mode, which gives the Cross Coupe dynamic performance (with the TDi engine on), and CHARGE mode to replenish the battery. The Cross Coupe also has ‘OFFROAD mode, which features continuous drive to all four wheels.
The power system runs on 370 volts, while the car electrics run on a 12-volt circuit tapped off the main battery using a DC/DC converter. The batteries can be charged either from an external 230 volt system, or while driving. The driver can intentionally switch to ‘CHARGE mode by the press of a button whilst the engine is on. In normal driving, every time the driver lifts off his or her foot from the accelerator, both engine and motors are decoupled from the drive train (provided there is enough charge in the battery) – this is termed as ‘sailing’, and zero emissions are generated as well.
With fuel prices being so unpredictable, and remembering that it is a depleting resource, plus the fact that we need to reduce carbon footprints as much as possible in order to keep the environment safe for our future generations – plus the undeniable fact that we all love driving too – I for one will welcome the Volkswagen Cross Coupe, which is great not only in power and fuel consumption, but in looks as well!
