VOLKSWAGEN UNVEILS CROSSBLUE COUPE CONCEPT AT THE SHANGHAI AUTO

SHOW

Five-seat SUV concept is based off the new MQB architecture and features a plug-in V6

gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain

- 415-horsepower gasoline-hybrid concept is capable of 79 mpg

- The vehicle can travel up to 21 miles as an EV

- Top speed of 147 mph; 0 to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds

- Concept features dramatic new interpretation of Volkswagen design DNA

Wolfsburg / Shanghai, April 2013 - With the debut of the CrossBlue Coupé at the 2013

Shanghai Auto Show, Volkswagen is giving a spectacular glimpse at the future and at a new

era of SUV design. Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design for the Volkswagen Brand, says: "The

disproportionate growth in the SUV segment gives designers the opportunity to implement

an even greater diversification of models. The CrossBlue Coupé shows the potential of our

Volkswagen design DNA and will undoubtedly have an influence on future SUV models."

The CrossBlue Coupé has a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is as fuel-efficient as it is sporty.

A turbocharged direct-injection (TSI) V6 gasoline engine works together with two electric

motors to produce as much as 415 horsepower. This SUV can thus perform like a sports car,

with a 0 to 62 mph time of just 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 147 mph.

Despite its impressive performance, the CrossBlue Coupé has a combined fuel consumption

of just 79 mpg in the new European driving cycle (NEDC). Even when the battery is fully

discharged and the vehicle is running with just the TSI engine, the gas mileage is still

impressive, at 34.1 mpg. With a 21.2 gallon gas tank, this gives a theoretical range of

around 720 miles.

The CrossBlue Coupé can be driven as zero emissions EV for up to 21 miles at a maximum

speed of 75 mph: to intentionally use this eco-friendly mode in urban areas, the driver

simply pushes a button. The concept vehicle is based off the new Modular Transverse Matrix

(MQB) and could, if it were produced, be fitted with conventional four- and six-cylinder

engines running on a variety of fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and CNG. Equipped with five

comfortable seats and a spacious trunk, the CrossBlue Coupé definitely belongs to the SUV

avant-garde.

Dynamic exterior design

The CrossBlue Coupé is exactly 192.5 inches long, 79.3 inches wide, and 66.1 inches high.

The vehicle thus has a confident, low slung, and four-square stance that is enhanced by the

wide tracks (67.3 inches at the front, 68.0 inches at the back), the relatively long 117.3-

inch wheelbase, and large 22-inch aluminum-alloy wheels that are shod with 285/40 tires

that were specially designed for the concept car.

Sporty side profile. The concept features a long and broad hood, a very short frontal

overhang, and a long roofline. The concept's sporty stance is further improved by a very

short

A-pillar and a very "fast" (swept back) C-pillar, as well as a distinctive character line. The

designers have combined a dominant line-one that starts in the upper area of the rear lights

and runs precisely at the height of the door handles-with a second line that begins beneath

the rear lights and ends in the front fender. The space between the two lines narrows

towards the front and ends beneath the A-pillar in a stylized chromed air outlet. These lines

significantly reduce the SUV's visual center of gravity.

The 22-inch polished aluminum-alloy wheels also feature a new design, with five V-shaped

dual spokes that have a matte finish on their inner surfaces. Five trim pieces that are

painted in the body color of "CrossOrange Metallic" surround the central VW badge,

presenting yet another design element.

Despite the dynamic side profile, practicality is central to this vehicle's mission. An example

is the way that the doors open wide for optimal entry and egress, as well as extending down

into the sill area. The ports for the gas tank and battery were uniformly integrated into the

design of the CrossBlue Coupé. The fuel filler neck is located under a lid on the right side of

the vehicle, with the electrical outlet cover opposite it on the left side. This consists of one

socket for charging the high-voltage battery and another for connecting electric devices;

this 230V/16A interface allows the CrossBlue Coupé to act as an emergency generator.

3D Front End. A key element of Volkswagen design DNA is the predominance of horizontal

lines. The front end of the CrossBlue Coupé follows this to perfection, yet the designers

have

created a new layout by integrating the lighting architecture into the grille area. The key

elements of the front end design are the free-standing LED headlights, LED light signature,

and radiator grille trim.

The radiator grille trim, consisting of two polished aluminum struts and the VW logo, is now

a 3D element extending into the headlights. The lateral ends of the upper strut are used for

the

Daytime Running Lights, creating a unique and very special "eyebrow" light signature.

Meanwhile, the lower cross strut is a pure aluminum element that extends from beneath the

free-standing LED headlights into the fenders. The entire grille unit is surrounded by a high-

gloss black frame. The lines of the LED light signature extend into the lower area of the

bumper, bordering the side intakes and the central radiator inlet. Skidplates are fitted under

the bumper to protect the underbody.

Exclusive rear section. As with the front end, the designers sculpted a 3D look, again using

aluminum elements. The upper area of the rear lights extends from the center of the

trunklid

right into the fenders, carrying the side character line into the rear of the vehicle. The rear

lights are highlighted by an aluminum strip, under which two more lighting elements are

integrated on each side.

The prominent stainless-steel tailpipes are integrated into a polished aluminum trim panel

that runs horizontally. The rugged looking anthracite-colored area on the lower edge of the

rear bumper is repeated on the front bumper, on the sills, and on the wheelarch trim, giving

another styling feature that runs around the entire vehicle. As at the front of the car, there

are skidplates integrated into this anthracite-colored piece.

High-tech interior

An especially prominent feature of the elegant and clean interior is a horizontal dashboard

graphic that extends into the side door trims. Upscale materials abound in the cabin:

velvety soft Nappa leather in "Anthracite Pearl" and "Asphalto"; chrome surfaces that are

polished on top and sandblasted in a matte finish on their chamfered edges; dark

aluminum; naturally- treated wood accents; and "Graphite" colored Alcantara® for the roof

pillars and headliner. Two-color configurable ambient lighting is matched to the vehicle drive

mode: in "Eco", it matches the "CrossOrange" of the exterior paint and switches to red in

"Sport". The interplay of forms, colors, and materials makes a typically masculine SUV

statement, combined with an urbane ambience.

At the very top, the dashboard is framed by "Anthracite Pearl" colored leather with dark

contrasting seams. Below it, a dark aluminum panel integrates the central10.1-inch

infotainment display, air vents, and 12.3-inch instrument screen display. There is a delicate

chrome strip on the center of this panel, with chrome surrounds on the air vents and

screens.

On the next level down, an anthracite-colored spruce wood inlay extends into the door

panels as well as down the center console. Below the wood inlay, there are panels covered

in lighter "Asphalto" Nappa leather, with the ambient lighting running in a narrow line

between the wood and leather on the dashboard.

Five comfortable seats. The seats are also upholstered in elegant Nappa leather. The

individual seat panels are designed in either the dark "Anthracite Pearl" or the contrasting

"Asphalto". The shading visually emphasizes the sculpting of the seats themselves. The rear

bench seat offers fore-and-aft adjustment, three backrest positions, and folds in a two-

thirds/one-third fashion.

The car comes to life. As soon as the driver's door is opened, the controls come to life.

When the "Engine" (Start) button is pressed, the switches for the climate and headlight

control

instantly lift from rest. At the same time, all of the display layouts appear on the monitors

and the ambient lighting is activated.

The uppermost level of the center console contains the buttons for the seat heaters and air

circulation as well as the hazard lights switch. Beneath these, there are three knobs for the

four-zone climate control: the left and right ones control the temperature, and the middle

knob adjusts the fan level.

Arranged conveniently on the right side, next to the shift lever grip, are the buttons for ESC

deactivation (used when driving in deep snow, for example) and for the drive modes:

"Sport", "Eco", "Offroad", "Charge", and "EV" (electric driving). The shifter for the six-speed

transmission has very short throws, thanks to a new drive-by-wire logic. Like a joystick, the

lever continually returns to its middle position; the "D", "R" and "N" positions are activated

by a short flick and "P" by a separate pushbutton that is integrated in the lever.

Infotainment touchscreen. The central10.1-inch touchscreen has proximity sensors and is

used to control all the infotainment and entertainment functions, as well as to access the

status of the hybrid system. The type of representation changes according to the driving

mode. For instance, when the "Sport" mode is selected, buildings that are shown in the

navigation display are "suppressed" in the 3D map representation, receding for a clearer

and less busy image during fast driving. On the other hand, an animated 3D representation

is shown in the "Eco" mode, in which buildings rise up on the horizon like the structures in

the movie "Inception".

Programmable instrument cluster. The instrument cluster is designed with analog gauges

but is underpinned by user programmable software. The type of information changes

between the "Eco" and "Sport" modes. In "Eco" mode, the "Powermeter" and battery status

are two of the items shown in the left instrument, while the right one acts as speedometer

and fuel gauge. The center dial is used to access functions such as gear selection, driving

range, date and time, the weather, and navigation functionality such as distance to

destination and points of interest. In "Sport" mode, the left-hand instrument shows the

tachometer and displays torque and battery status at its center.

A mobile mini iPad® has been integrated in each of the head restraints of the first seating

row, so that passengers in the rear seats can also fully enjoy the audio, video and online

programs. Meanwhile, a Dynaudio® sound system delivers crystal-clear audio.