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Volkswagen Shows Tiguan GTE Active Concept at Detroit Auto Show

It is now time for another German carmaker, Volkswagen, to reveal its newest creation, the Tiguan GTE Active Concept, in the country where the SUV was born.
Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept 24 photos
Photo: Volkswagen AG
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Volkswagen’s latest creation is, in fact, a more extreme off-road version of the second generation of the Tiguan, and just as you would think, full of innovations. Maybe the most interesting one is the plug-in hybrid system that uses two electric motors and a gasoline engine that pushes the power to all four wheels and can offer incredible off-road performances, even in all-electric mode.

The main power unit is a turbocharged and direct-injection TSI engine that produces 148 horsepower. The two electric motors develop 54 horsepower at the front wheels and 114 horsepower at the rear, which results in a total system power of 221 horsepower that, together with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, gives the driver a great driving experience.

Thanks to the innovative mating of the three motors, the car sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and has a top speed of 120 mph. In E-Mode, the Tiguan can reach a maximum of 70 mph.

The transmission is a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic DSG gearbox that was specially designed for hybrid use. The concept car starts in full-electric mode and rear-wheel drive, but if the situation calls for it, it can change to four-wheel-drive in a matter of seconds.

When in all-electric mode, the vehicle can cover up to 20 miles, and the driving range, based on a battery capacity of 12.4 kWh and a 16.9-gallon fuel tank, is 580 miles.

Just like the second-generation Tiguan, the GTE Active Concept uses the new Modular Transverse Matrix, but compared to the production model, the concept has an increased ground clearance and maximum ramp angle, and improved approach and departure angles. The car is 176.9 inches long, 74.8 inches wide, 69.5 inches tall, and has a wheelbase of 105.6 inches.

Designed for extreme off-road use, the GTE Active Concept has a solid front skid plate equipped with four solid polymer protectors that offer protection against stones or bushes. The front bumper is also made from a durable polymer.

The LED headlights come as standard and are complemented by C-shaped LED Daytime Running Lights, a signature of all Volkswagen plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.

In the rear, the car continues the off-road theme and has a solid underbody guard made of matte aluminum. Four replaceable polymer protectors are also used here, and the lower area of the bumper is also protected by all-terrain trims.

Also for extra help in off-road conditions, the vehicle comes with four metal hooks, two in the front and two in the back, for pulling other vehicles or removing obstacles that block the way.

The interior has been created to coordinate with the all-terrain exterior. The trim strips that wrap around the instrument panel and door trim panels match the materials used for the front and rear underbody guards and the roof components.

A new design element is the two-tone Nappa leather upholstery, with the seat surfaces, armrests and door inserts all covered in Rhodium Grey, while the side surfaces and seatbacks are finished in Dark Graphite. The leather surfaces have a three-dimensional pattern of rhomboidal shapes that transition in size from small to large.

The centerpiece of the interior is the digital Active Info Display and the all-new infotainment system introduced by Volkswagen at CES 2016, which can be operated by gesture control. In the center console, all the controls are designed as touch sliders.
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