A Position Slightly Above the CC

At the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, Volkswagen unveiled the concept model "Sport Concept Coupe GTE." This concept car, embodying the four-door coupe style with a new generation of face design and powered by a plug-in hybrid, is being developed with a view to near-future production.

The body dimensions of the Sport Concept Coupe GTE are 4,870mm in length, 1,865mm in width, and 1,407mm in height.7th Generation GolfIt utilizes the "MQB" modular platform, which also featured in the seventh-generation Golf, and by shortening the front and rear overhangs, the wheelbase has been extended to 2,841mm, ensuring excellent space efficiency.

Among Volkswagen's four-door coupes, there is the "CC"CC," which was derived from the previous generation "Passat" family and given its own name. The current model measures 4,815mm in length, 1,855mm in width, and 1,425mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,710mm. The Sport Concept Coupe GTE is slightly larger, and Volkswagen explains this size, along with its overall presence, positions it "slightly above the CC."

As the name includes "GTE," it is equipped with a plug-in hybrid system, similar to the "Golf GTE" and "Passat GTE". The gasoline engine is a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo, producing a maximum output of 220 kW (299 hp) and a peak torque of 500 Nm. This is assisted by two electric motors powered by a lithium-ion battery housed in the center tunnel.

One of these motors, with an output of 40 kW, is integrated into the 6-speed DSG transmission. The other, an 85 kW motor mounted at the rear, drives the rear wheels as needed. While the vehicle itself is all-wheel drive, the front and rear axles are not connected by a propeller shaft; the front is powered by the gasoline engine and a motor, while the rear is driven solely by the motor. Volkswagen refers to this as an "electric propeller shaft."

When the two motors and the V6 engine operate at full power, the combined output reaches 279 kW (380 hp), enabling a top speed of 250 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.0 seconds. Despite this performance, the fuel consumption is rated at 2.0 L/100 km (approximately 50 km/L), and with a full charge, it can travel up to 50 km as a pure electric vehicle. When using gasoline as well, the total driving range exceeds 1,200 km.

Three Operating Modes for Combined Power

The Sport Concept Coupe GTE offers three driving modes to choose from, depending on the situation.

The most commonly used "Hybrid" mode switches between the V6 engine and electric motors as needed. During deceleration, its behavior varies depending on the battery's state. If the charge is insufficient, the motor regenerates energy from braking to charge the battery, while the engine is shut off to save fuel. If the battery is fully charged, releasing the accelerator engages a coasting mode, where the motor and engine are shut off and disengaged from the transmission, allowing the car to glide freely, contributing to overall fuel efficiency.

Another mode is "E-Mode," which operates as a pure EV. Using only the 85 kW rear motor, it can travel up to 50 km on a full charge of its 10.7 kWh battery. If the power runs low during the journey, the V6 engine will start, using the front motor as a generator to continue driving while charging.

The remaining mode is the sportiest, "GTE Mode," which utilizes the gasoline engine and electric motors to deliver maximum power and torque. Additionally, the accelerator pedal sensitivity, shift program, and steering response are adjusted for a sportier driving experience.

In parallel with these driving modes, there are also "Battery Charge" and "Battery Hold" functions. These allow the driver to specify whether to maintain the current battery level (Hold) or to charge the battery (Charge) for later use in E-Mode (electric vehicle operation).

A Navigation System for Driving Enjoyment

The Sport Concept Coupe GTE features Volkswagen's new generation design language at the front. Most striking is how the top two horizontal grille bars extend to form a line that integrates with and divides the headlights. These aluminum accents incorporate LEDs and function as daytime running lights. The inner portions can change color to serve as turn signals.

The remaining four front grille bars taper downwards, visually fading to emphasize the V-shaped line extending from the hood. The U-shaped LEDs on both sides of the lower bumper, similar to those on the Golf GTE and Passat GTE, serve as daytime running lights, signifying Volkswagen's PHEV models.

Inside, it features a 12.3-inch "Active Info Display" with a liquid crystal panel for the instrument cluster. Primarily displaying two-gauge meters, it can be customized to show necessary information based on the selected mode or settings. Furthermore, Volkswagen's patented technology allows for the incorporation of 3D visual effects.

A 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is installed on the center console. For rear passengers, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display on the center tunnel serves as a media control interface, with playback managed through the 10.1-inch displays located on the back of the front seats.

The navigation system is particularly unique: it links the driver's physiological data, obtained via smartwatches or armbands, with the car's onboard computer to select routes based on the driver's condition for the day. For instance, if the driver is feeling energetic, it might suggest an exciting route with winding roads, while a calmer mood could lead to a more serene path.

In essence, for this navigation system, the distance and time to the destination are secondary factors; the priority is to choose the route that allows the driver to enjoy the drive the most at that moment. Of course, in addition to traffic information and weather conditions, it also considers the vehicle's own condition and equipment status, as well as anonymous data about road conditions received from other vehicles on the road, all before presenting route options.

Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design for the Volkswagen brand, stated, "The Sport Coupe Concept GTE represents a new milestone in terms of design challenges. The development was a constant struggle with new ideas from beginning to end. As a result, we have found a guiding principle. Through this concept car, Volkswagen is not merely showcasing a new car design, but heralding the dawn of a new era of design."