(January 14, 2013) DETROIT, Mich. — The versatile CrossBlue SUV concept that is made its global debut at the North American International Auto Show was developed specifically for the U.S. and Canada. If it goes into production, the CrossBlue would flesh out the Volkswagen SUV lineup with a seven-seat midsize crossover that slots in above the Tiguan and below the premium Touareg.

The CrossBlue features a highly innovative plug-in hybrid powertrain that mates a TDI Clean Diesel engine with two electric motors, a DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, and an electric all-wheel-drive system that is dubbed “propshaft by wire.”



Volkswagen’s manufacturer estimated fuel economy rating is 89 mpge combined in electric mode and 35 mpg as a hybrid. As well as offering excellent economy for a mid-size crossover SUV, the CrossBlue has impressive performance from a powertrain that produces up to 305 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque: 0 to 60 mph is estimated to take just 7.2 seconds.

The CrossBlue is equipped with two “fuel doors”—the filler neck for the diesel tank is on the passenger side, and engineers integrated two electrical sockets behind the door on the driver’s side. The first socket is used to charge the lithium-ion battery and the second can be used to connect electrical devices such as coolers or camping lights. In this case, the CrossBlue acts as an auxiliary electrical generator.

The CrossBlue runs in zero emissions mode either at the press of a button or automatically. With a fully charged 9.8kWh lithium-ion battery, the CrossBlue can travel a distance of 14 miles in all-electric mode; to achieve optimal driving range, the top speed is reduced from 127 mph to 75 mph. The overall driving range is 661 miles if the 18.5-gallon fuel tank is filled with ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel.

The CrossBlue concept, which boasts six individual seats, combines the visual impact of an SUV with the spaciousness and flexibility of a minivan. With a comfortable highway ride, good all-around visibility, and a full raft of safety features that includes up to 12 airbags, the concept car is a spacious and safe cruiser.

The CrossBlue was designed in Germany under the leadership of Walter de Silva (head of design, Volkswagen Group) and Klaus Bischoff (head of design, Volkswagen Brand), in close coordination with Volkswagen of America. The vehicle merges the clean lines of German Volkswagen design DNA with the masculine character of an American SUV. This results in a very realistic vehicle that eschews show car gaudiness to give a glimpse at a potential new Volkswagen SUV.

“The CrossBlue concept is exactly the right type of vehicle for the U.S. market,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “It combines a truly versatile interior layout with sophisticated Volkswagen design, to give a unique and supremely stylish offering in this segment. Moreover, the vehicle showcases our innovative German powertrain engineering and the bandwidth of the new MQB architecture.”

A Volkswagen Made for America Painted in “CrossBlue Glass Flake,” the concept is 196.3 inches long, 79.3 inches wide, and 68.2 inches high. It assumes a very confident stance on the road thanks to wide front and rear tracks of 66.4 and 66.8 inches respectively, 21-inch aluminum-alloy wheels shod with 235/45 tires, and significantly flared wheel arches.

Contrasting with the body color is stainless-steel trim that runs all around the SUV’s lower body section. Developed by a team led by Marc Lichte (Senior Designer, Volkswagen Brand), the CrossBlue features a very prominent and long hood that integrates the engine’s air intakes, a roofline that is also long, and a very short frontal overhang.

The vehicle’s silhouette ascends slightly towards the rear, a visual impression that’s reinforced by a widening character line that runs from the headlights back to the taillights. Typically for a Volkswagen, there’s a precisely styled line above this.