Volkswagen tells us the Tiguan GTE Active Concept hints at the next-generation Tiguan crossover, but at the same time it woos us with a futuristic plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Well, not so futuristic actually.
While Volkswagen boasted its “most striking innovation” is its plug-in hybrid system that uses two electric motors and a gasoline engine, this is a powertrain virtually identical to that which powers the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Volvo XC90 T8.
This isn’t to poke fun at Volkswagen for being so daft as to present a future of the current day, but to underscore that what this concept really shows us is a production intent. With the Clean Diesel option now off the table, this is how Volkswagen will motor efficiently forward.
So if you’re asking, “Will they really build this?” The answer is Yes.
The two-row five-seat concept is based on the all-new Volkswagen Tiguan that goes into production next year. When it arrives we will have a slightly longer version of it with the capability of a third-row however.
It looks handsome enough, and in concept form has been buffed up for a good dose of off-road cred. And with its electric motor enabled all-wheel-drive, it should be well able to back up its looks.
The powertrain consists of a 1.4 liter turbocharged and direct-injected gasoline engine with 148 horsepower mated to a six-speed DSG automatic transmission. Sandwiched between the two is a 54 horsepower electric motor – all driving the front wheels.
If this sounds familiar, look under the hood of a Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. At the rear axle is a 114 horsepower electric motor driving the rear wheels exclusively. Front and rear drivetrains together can summon up to 221 horsepower together.
Plugging in its 12.4 kWh lithium-ion batter for a full charge will get you 20 miles on electric power alone before it switches over to hybrid mode. And alike all hybrids it can soak up forward momentum on the highway, occasional coasting and braking around town to charge back up for electric power in hybrid mode.
The new Tiguan uses Volkswagen’s new MQB architecture, and therefore shares its underlying powertrain design with the Golf and the upcoming Audi Q5 which will also be built at the same plant in Mexico next year.
When the Tiguan arrives in North America next year as a three-row capable crossover, it’s likely that a plug-in hybrid version will not offer that third-row since the large battery pack will sit where that seat otherwise would.
You can count on this option however as it is yet unknown whether a Clean Diesel TDI option will be available for those wanting more fuel-economy than will be offered from the new Tiguan’s standard turbocharged gasoline engines.
