Volkswagen’s Tiguan GTE Active concept is a terrain-trampling hybrid

By Nick Jaynes From Mashable

DETROIT — With a one-two punch following its all-electric BUDD-e microbus debut at CES last week has followed up that friendly little concept with something decidedly more menacing at the Detroit Auto Show.

It’s called the Tiguan GTE Active concept. Although it’s been designed trample anything in its path, it’s quite nearly as eco-friendly as BUDD-e. Let me explain.

This concept, which is based upon the second-generation Tiguan that we’ll see hit showrooms in 2017, is an all-wheel drive, 221-horsepower hybrid.

Under its hood it has a gasoline engine mated to a pancake-style electric motor and a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). In the rear, it has another electric motor that drives the rear wheels. Together, combined with a system VW is calling the “electric driveshaft,” these powerplants make for a formidable but efficient all-wheel drive system.

The Tiguan GTE Active starts off every journey in its all-electric E-Mode. Propelled forward by the energy stored in the onboard lithium-ion batteries that feed the rear electric motor, the Tiguan GTE Active can do 20 miles on electrons alone.

When the batteries run out of juice, the gasoline motor kicks on and initiates Hybrid mode. The crossover then can be driven by the front, rear or all wheels at any given moment The crossover then can be driven by the front, rear or all wheels at any given moment, depending on eco or traction needs.

Incredibly, the gas engine can pull double duty powering both the front wheels as well as the rears. That’s because the electric motor mated to the engine can work as a generator for the rear electric motor. If that sounds a bit like German magic, well, that’s because it is.

Although it has 8.9-inches of ground clearance, a solid aluminum underbody complete with skid plates and an off-road-y look, the Tiguan GTE Active is still tech-savvy inside.

Taking from its CES debuts, VW has fitted the Tiguan GTE Active with a 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen that can also be controlled by gesture controls. So, too, can its climate controls, found right beneath the infotainment screen. Of course, like seemingly everything else these days, the Tiguan GTE Active can run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

If you’re worried that this Tiguan GTE Active is just a fanciful concept designed to get dieselgate off VW’s back, don’t be so skeptical. This crossover is based upon a production platform called Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) that will underpin the new Tigaun. And while the production Tiggy might not be so mean looking, it will seat seven and be nearly as techie.

IMAGES:
Vw-tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept IMAGE: VOLKSWAGEN
Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept IMAGE: VOLKSWAGEN
Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active concept
Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept
Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept IMAGE: VOLKSWAGEN

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