Photo: Original image created by autoevolution
There’s no question Volkswagen screws all the panels together nicely, but everything else about a Golf or Passat is a bit… dry, a bit uninspiring. Not so with the next crossover vehicle they plan to built on the MQB platform, a company official says.
It was previewed in January 2013 under the concept name “CrossBlue” and could be headed for a production line in 2016. Nobody has seen any prototypes yet, but Volkswagen Group of America CEO Michael Horn has said we should prepare for something special. According to him, this will be an "awesome benchmark” in its segment.
It has to be. VW USA sales have not exactly been stellar and the CrossBlue was specifically designed to cope with that problem. It large cabin is supposed to appeal to people with larger families. But what exactly makes it a class leader and what class are we talking about anyway?
The 7-up class of three-row SUVs includes the new Hyundai Santa Fe, Mitsubishi Outlander, Kia Sorento (but that’s a bit old), Nissan Pathfinder and a few more from Ford and GM.
The CrossBlue is slightly shorter but wider than a Pathfinder, which is probably one of the most popular models. The powertrain is different too. Most SUV use either a 2.5-liter 4-banger or a V6, both naturally aspirated. But when the VW concept came out, it did so with a hybrid diesel system: TDI+2 electric motors. Combined, it got 305 horsepower and perhaps more importantly, over 500 pound-foot of torque.
Volkswagen said that it could get 35 mpg, plus it can go for up to 14 miles on electricity alone. Inside, the concept offered a huge display screen, over 10 inches wide. Both economy and feature are likely to be what makes this an “awesome benchmark”.
In related news, putting 4Motion all-wheel drive into the new Golf Sportwagen is being discussed right now. Volkswagen of America product manager Mark Gillies said "Looking at Subaru’s success with all-wheel drive in America, it could be a big opportunity for VW." A production prototype is currently being shown at the New York Auto Show and based on people’s reactions, they’re going to make a decision soon.
Source: Automobile Magazine
It has to be. VW USA sales have not exactly been stellar and the CrossBlue was specifically designed to cope with that problem. It large cabin is supposed to appeal to people with larger families. But what exactly makes it a class leader and what class are we talking about anyway?
The 7-up class of three-row SUVs includes the new Hyundai Santa Fe, Mitsubishi Outlander, Kia Sorento (but that’s a bit old), Nissan Pathfinder and a few more from Ford and GM.
The CrossBlue is slightly shorter but wider than a Pathfinder, which is probably one of the most popular models. The powertrain is different too. Most SUV use either a 2.5-liter 4-banger or a V6, both naturally aspirated. But when the VW concept came out, it did so with a hybrid diesel system: TDI+2 electric motors. Combined, it got 305 horsepower and perhaps more importantly, over 500 pound-foot of torque.
Volkswagen said that it could get 35 mpg, plus it can go for up to 14 miles on electricity alone. Inside, the concept offered a huge display screen, over 10 inches wide. Both economy and feature are likely to be what makes this an “awesome benchmark”.
In related news, putting 4Motion all-wheel drive into the new Golf Sportwagen is being discussed right now. Volkswagen of America product manager Mark Gillies said "Looking at Subaru’s success with all-wheel drive in America, it could be a big opportunity for VW." A production prototype is currently being shown at the New York Auto Show and based on people’s reactions, they’re going to make a decision soon.
Source: Automobile Magazine
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