This version of Volkswagen's Cross Coupe is powered by a diesel-hybrid powertrain.
The Volkswagen Group plans to continue its assault on the title of world’s largest automaker with a new concept, a droptop version of its iconic sports compact and an announcement of a major new initiative for a “major ecological restructuring,” the automaker said in advance of the Geneva auto show.
VW will spend more than two-thirds of its five-year, 62.4 billion euro ($82.4 billion) budget on more efficient vehicles. The money will be spent on new powertrains and technologies, as well as environmentally compatible production at its plants around the world.
“Geneva 2012 marks the start of a fundamental ecological restructuring of the Volkswagen Group,” Volkswagen Chairman Martin Winterkorn said Monday.
Winterkorn said VW expected to reduce CO2 emissions of its European new vehicle fleet by about 30 percent during the period from 2006 to 2015. He added that new models will be 10-15 percent more efficient than their predecessors.
But VW’s plans for Geneva go beyond plans to improve its environmental record.
VW says the GTI Cabriolet will be the most powerful Golf convertible ever.
Cross Coupe
VW says that the Cross Coupe will be the most fuel-efficient sport utility in the world. The 2011 concept was powered by a gasoline hybrid system, but this version of the concept has a diesel hybrid powertrain. It combines a 187-horsepower with 40 kW and 85 kW electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. VW said the electrical components are of its own manufacture.
GTI Cabriolet
For the first time, VW is going to offer a convertible version of its GTI, the car that virtually created the hot-hatch category in the early ’80s. Powered by a direct-injection 207-horsepower 2.0-liter four cylinder, not surprisingly, the GTI Cabriolet will be the most powerful convertible Golf ever. VW says the car will go on sale this summer. VW predicts the car will accelerate from 0-62 mph in 7.3 seconds.
The Passat Alltrack will come with two engines, a 166-horsepower diesel and a 207-horsepower gasoline engine.
Passat Alltrack
VW is also introducing the Passat Alltrack, a wagon version of its new Passat sedan with VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive.
The Alltrack will be available with 166-horsepower turbodiesel or a 207-horsepower gasoline engine.
But the Alltrack is more than just AWD. It also features unique bumper styling and flared side sills. It also has greater approach and departure angles, increased ground clearance and underbody guards front and rear, all designed to allow the Alltrack to handle light off-roading.
It will come standard with a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission and electronic locking differential.