Volkswagen has unveiled the new C Coupé GTE at the Shanghai motor show. The body illustrates a new styling approach for the brand’s future top-end saloons, say the designers.
The four-door concept car for the Chinese market – which is over five metres in length – is powered by a plug-in hybrid drive system. The latter consists of a turbocharged petrol direct-injection engine with four cylinders, an 8-speed automatic gearbox, an electric motor integrated in the gearbox module and a lithium-ion battery.
The 2.0-litre TSI engine produces 207 bhp, while the electric motor has a power output of 122 bhp. The hybrid drive develops a system power of 242 bhp and 369 lb-ft of system torque, which Volkswagen says enables the car to accelerate to 62 mph in 8.6 seconds and go on to reach a top speed of 144 mph.
Volkswagen claims the C Coupé GTE can also be powered all-electrically up to a speed of 81 mph, while delivering a range of 31 miles.
The car’s combined fuel consumption is said to be 2.3 litres per 100 kilometres, which equates to CO2 emissions of 55 g/km. Total driving range is over 497 miles.
The C Coupé GTE follows on from the Sport Coupé Concept GTE, which was recently revealed at the Geneva motor show. This latest design study points to a future China-only production model that will hit roads sometime in 2016, and which will most likely sit below the range-topping Phaeton.
Source: Volkswagen
