What's the news?

Volkswagen unveiled a new SUV concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week. The CrossBlue has been developed for the USA and Canada and would sit between the Tiguan and Touareg in terms of pricing if it goes into production. Designed in Germany, but apparently in close co-operation with Volkswagen of America, the CrossBlue features a hybrid drive system.

Exterior

The styling follows a pretty standard SUV template: it's a two-box outline with chunky detailing and big wheels. At nearly five metres long and two metres wide it has a similar footprint to a Range Rover. The concept is painted 'CrossBlue Glass Flake' with a stainless steel trim running round the lower body. A conventional fuel filler is located on the passenger side and there is a second 'fuel door' on the driver's side that houses the charging socket and an electrical outlet.

Interior

As a concept the CrossBlue is fitted with six individual seats in three rows; Volkswagen says that a production version would have the option of three seats in the centre row to provide space for seven passengers. The seats fold to expand the luggage area, including a forward-folding front passenger seat for a 3.1-metre maximum load length.

When the CrossBlue is started the controls for the lights, climate control and all-wheel drive system emerge from their flush resting positions. Aluminium is used for the control surrounds with dark-stained banana tree wood and leather also featuring in the interior.

Mechanicals

The CrossBlue uses Volkswagen's Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) components. A 190hp TDI engine is fitted along with a six-speed DSG transmission. There is no prop-shaft to drive the rear wheels; instead it uses electric all-wheel drive, dubbed 'propshaft by wire' with a 40kW electric motor in front and an 85kW motor on the back axle. Total power is 305hp and the official performance estimates include 0-60mph in 7.0 seconds, a 127mph maximum speed and 75mph maximum in electric mode.

On the European driving cycle the 9.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack has sufficient energy for 20 miles of driving. There are a variety of driving modes including electric-only, TDI-only and, an off-road mode, with internal combustion driving the front wheels and the front electric motor acting as a generator for its counterpart at the rear.

Anything else?

Although described as a concept the CrossBlue looks pretty close to being production ready. Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America said: "The CrossBlue concept is exactly the right type of vehicle for the U.S. market. It combines a truly versatile interior layout with sophisticated Volkswagen design, to give a unique and supremely stylish offering in this segment."

John Lambert - 14 Jan 2013