VW’s new look. This concept, VW’s Sport Coupe GTE, gives an indication as to what the new Passat CC will look like, due in 2017. It is also said to presage the Phaeton replacement, and introduces the company’s new 3D design language, under the guidance of Walter de Silva. The badge, headlights and grille are all incorporated into a single horizontal feature, emphasising width.
With a wheelbase 50mm longer than the new Passat’s, the VW concept is bigger all round than the four-door sedan, with more interior space. Offering seating for four, the concept has a full-length centre console (beneath which is a 10.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack) and 480 litres of boot space. The concept is a liftback rather than sedan design. It is also bigger in all directions than the seven-year-old CC. Underpinnings are based on VW’s MQB modular platform.
The concept debuts a plug-in hybrid petrol electric system that may turn up in future VWs. It utilises a 220kW/500Nm turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine linked via a dual-clutch auto to two electric motors, of 40 and 85kW, for a total kW count of 279. The engine drives the front wheels, aided by the in-gearbox electric motor, while the other amped motor drives the rears for on-demand 4wd capability. A 0-100 time of 5.0 sec is quoted. Mean fuel economy is 2.4L/100km, with average CO2 emissions of 46g/km. Expect an electric only range of 50km, and overall touring distance of 1200km.
