What's the news?

Volkswagen has been teasing us with a number of concept 4x4s under the CrossBlue banner for the last couple of years, but the latest is one of the most intriguing. Due to be unveiled at next week's LA motor show, this new CrossBlue is a clear nod in the direction of a new Touareg, as well as the next-gen Volkswagen Tiguan.

Exterior

The most significant aspect of the new CrossBlue is probably the styling. That wide, narrow grille and prominent air intake looks to be our first glimpse of Volkswagen's much-touted new design direction. If so, it's a subtle evolution of the current look but handsome nonetheless.

Interior

There's also a great deal of innovation on the inside. The cabin is full of little touches such as switches that appear as if from nowhere when the ignition is turned on, along with a 10.1-inch touchscreen that takes care of most of the infotainment controls.

Mechanicals

It's powered by a turbocharged 295hp V6 petrol engine allied to a plug-in hybrid module that adds up to around 415hp thanks to the extra grunt provided by two electric motors. The idea is to have a large SUV that can accelerate from 0-62mph in about six seconds yet which can return better than 70mpg according to Volkswagen's estimates. It can also run on pure electric power for up to 13 miles. It all runs through a six-speed DSG automatic transmission and the electric motors provide four-wheel drive without the need for hefty driveshafts and transfer couplings.

The fact that it's based on the MQB architecture that we've already seen under the Golf and A3 underlines the versatility of Volkswagen's new platform, as does the fact that it could be easily converted to run on CNG or other alternative fuels.

Anything else?

The LA Auto Show opens to the media on November 19, with the public gaining access on November 22.

Neil Briscoe - 15 Nov 2013