Volkswagen Cross Coupe
Volkswagen is trying so very hard to let down their hair and get interesting. The problem is they seem terribly gun shy when it comes time to pull the trigger. Volkswagen’s apprehension for taking the Blue Sport concept to production is fairly reasonable but for a car like the plug in hybrid concept Cross Coupe it’s about time they grow a pair and do something new. Because this car will sell, I don’t car what their sales projection experts may tell them.
The Cross Coupe has a intricate powertrain consisting of two electric motors. They’re partnered to a turbodiesel inline-four engine matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. One of the electric motors, which is rated for 133 lb-ft of torque, sends power to the front wheels and can both drive the car and second as a generator. The second electric motor, producing 199 lb-ft, delivers 
power to the rear axle and draws power either from a 9.8-kWh lithium-ion battery or directly from the front electric motor/generator. There is also a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that drives the front wheels and it produces 295 lb-ft of torque.
Because of this elaborate system there are available several different driving modes for the Volkswagen Cross Coupe. City Mode drives at maximum efficiency, Sport, Off-Road, E-mode, and Charging. When the lithium-ion battery is charged, E-mode enables the Cross Coupe to drive for a range of 28 miles with speeds up to 75 mph on electrical power alone using the rear motor. While the E-mode is engaged the diesel engine and front electric motor are disengaged from the drive axles. When Sport mode the diesel engine and both electric motors work in unison to produce a total of 516 lb-ft and all-wheel-drive. This is a convincing Sport mode considering the Cross Coupe can accelerate from 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. When in the Off-Road mode the Cross Coupe engages an electric all-wheel-drive. The diesel engine then powers the front wheels and the electric power generated by the front motor/generator is dedicated to power the rear motor. While in Charging mode the Cross Coupe drives entirely with the diesel engine turning the front wheels while simultaneously recharging the lithium-ion battery. The tank for the diesel engine is only 14.5-gallons but when all is said and done the Cross Coupe can achieve a total range of about 800 miles. That’s about 55 mpg. And what’s not to love about that?
As it stands they’ve been kicking around the idea for at least a year and a half now with no actual word on production. There’s tentativeness on Volkswagen’s part to offer anything outside their usual brand. But as we all know adaptability and creativity are rewarded. Perhaps Volkswagen is waiting to see if the crossover trend dissolves. If that’s the case they may find their hesitation will come back to haunt them.
