At the Tokyo Motor Show, Volkswagen is showcasing its concept of an SUV of the future: the Cross Coupe. Visually the all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid vehicle shows how Volkswagen designers could envisage a crossover between a four-door coupe and a compact SUV. The design team led by Walter de Silva and Klaus Bischoff have created a fascinating study that impressively combines the best of two worlds. Original, strong in character, sculptural and dynamic, the Cross Coupe stands for the future of SUV design at Volkswagen!

Pioneering technologies. Technically too the very sporty Cross Coupe concept car defines a new status, being based on Volkswagen’s new modular transverse matrix (MQB) – the first such model ever to be publicly shown. Features of the Cross Coupe consequently include strikingly short bodywork overhangs. The four-seat SUV is powered by two electric motors (1 x front, 1 x rear) and a direct injection turbo petrol engine (TSI). The Cross Coupe can drive a distance of up to 45 kilometers purely on electric power. The all-wheel drive system with ‘electric drive shaft’ represents an innovation for Volkswagen, with the rear axle being driven by the rear of the two electric motors. In this situation power is supplied to the rear electric motor by the one at the front, which during this phase acts as a generator powered by the TSI engine. In the Cross Coupe the flow of electrical energy thus replaces the conventional transfer of power by means of a drive shaft. And that creates room on board the concept car for another important technology: the centre tunnel, usually the place for the drive shaft, houses the lithium ion battery (tunnel battery) on the Cross Coupe. The low position of the battery and the general layout of the drive systems give the vehicle a very low centre of gravity and facilitate a balanced spread of axle loading. Although equipped with the all-round qualities of an SUV, the concept car therefore demonstrates the dynamic handling of a coupe.

Cross Coupe with long wheelbase and short overhangs

Less upright than other off-road vehicles. At 4,345 mm, the concept car being shown in Tokyo is longer than a Golf and shorter than a Tiguan. The width of 1,868 mm and height of 1,523 mm also come exactly in between these two bestsellers. In terms of its dimensions, the Cross Coupe is therefore a vehicle in the globally much in-demand A segment. It is also noticeable that at 2,630 mm the concept car has what in relation to its overall length is a very long wheelbase (52 mm longer than the Golf and 26 mm longer than the Tiguan). The bodywork overhangs (855 mm at the front and 860 mm at the back) are correspondingly short. All of the dimensions combined, the overall proportions are extremely snappy. The powerful look is underlined by large wheel tracks of 1,585 mm (front) and 1,613 mm (rear).

Off-road figures like an SUV. Away from made-up roads the Cross Coupe makes its mark with bodywork figures that fall almost into the range of classic SUVs. The front angle of approach, for example, is a good 24.2 degrees and the rear in terms of off-road use an excellent 32.5 degrees. The Cross Coupe also features good off-road ground clearance.

Design gives insight into car front styles of tomorrow

Precisely moulded coupe silhouette. Defining features of the Cross Coupe’s look are the very long bonnet, a completely new front section design, the passenger compartment, which is set way back, and in comparison to conventional SUVs the very low window line. In general the designers have also achieved muscular and athletic, yet very clear contours. The Cross Coupe gives the appearance of a sculpture milled from a solid material: extremely precise and modern. Highly independent, the Cross Coupe shows the direction in which Volkswagen design is developing.

One striking element is a shoulder line, also known as the tornado line, that looks as if it has been cut with a razor blade, which runs just below the frameless windows, extending from the front to the rear wing. Adjacent to the line to the bottom are the clearly flared wings, which create a very powerful sideline and produce a silhouette that – although robustly composed in the style of an SUV – is reminiscent of a sports car. Fitting perfectly into this picture come the 20-inch alloy wheels, equipped with 265/45 tires. To the rear a voluminous coupe-like C column rises up over the wheel arches and in silhouette the entire rear of the car appears to rest on the 20-inch alloys.

The evolution of the Volkswagen front section. The great potential of the Volkswagen design DNA developed by Walter de Silva (Group Chief Designer) and Klaus Bischoff (Volkswagen Chief Designer) is shown by the concept car’s front section. In this instance, the characteristic horizontal lines of the ‘Volkswagen visage’ become a link between present and future. Unlike on today’s models, the designers have physically merged the two xenon twin headlamps with the radiator grille’s chrome-plated fins. In detail, it is two chrome bars, one above the other, that link the headlamps. Moreover, the chrome fins that ascend to the sides of the vehicle emphasize its width and are part of an entirely new type of lighting concept; the lower of the two chrome fins contains the daytime running light, and the fin above it contains the direction indicators. The light signature, headlights and grille are all expressed in a unique innovative combination. In the centre of the bumper is an area painted in the vehicle’s color, which by means of a precisely shaped character line extends upwards to form a homogenous unit with the bars of the radiator grille. Right at the bottom of the bumper is another cold air inlet, which is fitted with two additional smaller chrome bars. To the left and right of each inlet are the LED fog lights.

The rear of an SUV coupe. The shallow line of the side windows also influences the rear of the car. Incorporated at a very sloping angle, the rear window is typical of a coupe. To the top rear the hatchback is finished off by a spoiler, which optically extends the roof surface and as a trailing edge technically optimizes the aerodynamics. The rear light clusters are kept slim. In similar fashion to their counterparts on the latest production models, such as the new CC, the rear lights feature a delicate, pale, horizontal bar that makes the lamps look very elegant. Typical of an SUV, meanwhile, is the chunky rear bumper, integrated into the left and right of which are the exhaust pipes.

Multifaceted interior for four people.

The best of two worlds. In the Cross Coupe the worlds of the SUV and the coupe form an exciting alliance. Inside this four-seater this leads to all details having a significantly sportier design than in conventional SUVs. For example, the dashboard: it has the dynamically precise lines of a coupe, yet is raised up like in an SUV. The surface of the dashboard exudes very refined quality, yet at the same time a very robust design. This robustness is also a feature of the controls, handgrips and general feel of things in the car’s interior. For example the centre console: the drive system and air-conditioning functions are controlled quickly and simply via two aluminum rotary switches. Located between the two switches is the button for the electric parking brake and in front of that the gear lever, also in aluminum, for the seven-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG). The lever’s strikingly wide grip is not only visually fun, but being made out of one piece also pleasing to the touch. In front of the gear lever is the start button for the engines, while to the left and right of the lever there are two robust but elegant grab handles. On the right there are also the buttons for selecting pure electric power and battery charging. Higher up come the ventilation controls, the centrally positioned hazard warning lights switch and two air vents. Another level higher there is a touchscreen display that shows on- and off-road navigation and all relevant vehicle functions, extending all the way to the sound system.

Programmable instruments. Arranged behind the three-spoke steering wheel is a user-programmable instrument cluster display. A rotary control knob on the centre console can be used to dynamically select between three different display modes: ‘Sport’, ‘City’ and ‘Offroad’. The functional screen contents of the modes vary according to the mode selected, e.g. gyrometer, compass and topographic map in Offroad mode. Each of the three modes has a customized screen layout and different color scheme. Positioned centrally between the round instruments is another multifunction color display, on which vehicle information, the phone menu, audio details and alongside this further navigation data such as a 3D off-road picture can be shown.

Ergonomics for long journeys. The Cross Coupe is fitted with four individual seats, which have all been designed as bucket seats with solidly integrated headrests. These seats have particularly well-balanced ergonomic qualities. The four passengers have ample room to the side, in front and above. The backs of the rear seats and of the front passenger’s seat can be folded fully forwards to load surfboards, paragliders or other bulky gear into the Cross Coupe. A particularly helpful feature here is that the seat backs have an outer synthetic covering, so that when folded down they form a durable surface for such loads. The boot space behind the rear seats has a capacity of 380 liters (up to the window edge). If the 1,724 mm-long vehicle interior is loaded up to roof height and all the way to the backs of the front seats, the capacity increases to 1,230 liters.

Electrically powered rear axle

Three motors in one car. The Cross Coupe has not one but three motors, which work together efficiently as a hybrid system. At the front under the bonnet is a 110 kW TSI petrol engine delivering maximum torque of 210 Nm and an electric motor with an output of 40 kW and 180 Nm of torque. Together or individually these two motors power the front axle. If the Cross Coupe is to be used in all-wheel drive or pure electric power mode, a further electric motor cuts in. This has been integrated as a co-axial drive unit into the rear axle layout. This motor drives the rear wheels. This second electric motor generates up to 85 kW and develops torque of 270 Nm. The overall output of the system (petrol engine + battery) is a maximum of 195 kW.

Tunnel battery powerhouse. When the vehicle is being driven purely on electric power, the electric motors receive their current from an 8-module lithium ion battery. The battery holds 9.8 kWh of energy and is located inside the Cross Coupe’s centre tunnel, i.e. where the drive shaft is found in conventional SUVs. An electronic power control module, operating at around 370 volts and integrated into the engine compartment, manages the flow of high-voltage energy from and to the battery and to the electric motors. Meanwhile, the Cross Coupe’s low voltage electrical system is supplied with the necessary 12 volts through a DC/DC converter. The electric drive system causes no space restrictions in the vehicle’s interior. The battery gets charged either via external electricity sources (230-volt connection) or – in motion – via the TSI engine and battery regeneration (both front and rear axles).

Fuel consumption of just 2.7 liters per 100 km. With a full tank of fuel the Cross Coupe weighs 1,748 kg (58% on the front axle, 42% on the rear). It can take a further load of 450 kg and be driven a distance of up to 45 km on purely electric power. In doing so the vehicle produces no emissions. In the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) the TSI engine’s fuel consumption is just 2.7 liters per 100 km, equating to CO2 emissions of only 62 g/km. With a fuel tank capacity of 55 liters, the theoretical range in hybrid mode is 815 kilometers. Adding in the electric range, the Cross Coupe can do 855 km without stopping for fuel.

Sustainable and yet still dynamic. Despite the focus on sustainability the concept car being shown in Tokyo is still sporty. The Cross Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7 seconds and has a top speed of 201 km/h. If forward propulsion is being provided solely by the electric motors, the top speed is regulated down to 120 km/h. Both the consumption figures and driving performance are positively influenced by the Cross Coupe’s aerodynamic properties. The optimally balanced aerodynamics built into the design and the very low overall height (for an SUV) produce a very good drag coefficient of 0.329.

How the hybrid drive system works. Both electric motors help (boost) the petrol engine (TSI) during acceleration. As mentioned above, however, they can also power the concept car on its own for a distance of up to 45 kilometers, depending on conditions. Here, by opening the clutch, the TSI gets disconnected from the drive-train and switched off. The clutch on the gearbox side, however, remains closed and the seven-speed DSG thus remains connected. Cross Coupe drivers can themselves also choose to drive relatively long distances on pure electric power (as long as the battery has enough charge). To do so the driver simply presses the relevant driving mode button on the centre console next to the gear lever. As soon as the TSI needs to be brought back into play due to the battery’s level of charge or any other parameters, the engine starts up – almost imperceptibly for driver and passengers – and smoothly engages with the drive train.

Charging at the press of a button. Whenever the Cross Coupe’s brakes are applied, both electric motors act as a generator, utilizing the braking energy to charge the battery (battery regeneration). The driver can (via another button next to the gear lever) also consciously charge the battery from the TSI engine – for instance, in order to have sufficient electric power to drive later in a regulated zone preserved exclusively for zero-emission electric vehicles. At all times, the current electric range and the Cross Coupe’s overall range are displayed on the instrument panel. The engine controller regulates all energy flow and drive management tasks taking into account the minute-by-minute demands for power made by the driver.

‘Electric power’, ‘Charge’ and three further modes. Based on the amount of drive (for instance, loss of traction on the front axle) or through the driver consciously switching to all-wheel or electric mode, the second electric motor integrated with the rear axle engages it in an instant. In general there are three driving modes available to the driver: City (eco-mode with minimal fuel consumption), Sport (dynamic driving) and Offroad (permanent all-wheel drive).

- Volkswagen

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After the Goggomobil had reached its limits, the German Postal Service commissioned Volkswagen to design a postal van. At their request, the vehicle needed to have 71 cubic feet of storage, a payload of up to 882 pounds and meet a length of 12.3′, a width 4.7′ and height of 5.6′. In addition two sliding doors were needed.

This was 1961. After working with the Beetle Cabriolet in the designs VW moved over to the Type 14 Karman Ghia platform ending up with the Type 147 “Fridolin” Kleinlieferwagen. The odd appearance was due to the combined use of the Type 1 Beetle, Type 14 Karmann Ghia, Type 2 Transporter and Type 3 VW 1500 in its creation. Mass production started in 1964 at Westfalia with over 6000 produced until 1971.

For over 60 years now, commercial vehicles from Volkswagen have maintained a visual presence on the world’s streets. They are helpers in everyday life, which bring us people goods, services, postal deliveries and occasionally emergency assistance as well. Volkswagen Group Research, which is responsible for the world of tomorrow, together with the German Post Office (‘Deutsche Post AG’), which is one of the largest customers of lightweight commercial vehicles – as well as the University of Art at Braunschweig – formed a think tank on future transport and mobility issues. Finally, these research activities led to a completely new vehicle concept for the delivery and logistics field: eT!

Prof. Dr. Jurgen Leohold, Director of Volkswagen Group Research: “We analyzed process flows and customer needs in detail, and from these analyses we derived ideas on how the segment of delivery and courier vehicles could be further developed over the long term. In this context, we focused on zero-emissions driving and available space in urban areas, semi-automatic driving functions that offer relevant support and simplify work processes and the integration of new communication technologies. On top of that, we also set out to design a very emotionally appealing commercial vehicle. To attain these goals, our teams not only looked towards the future from the past, but also worked from a future perspective to implement an advanced development concept based on technologies available today.”

The eT! research vehicle could someday actually revolutionize the world of lightweight commercial vehicles. Completely re-conceptualized, driven with zero emissions, thought through to the last detail and driving semi-automatically if necessary! Just how wide-ranging the significance of this research project could be for sustainability in the transportation field is underscored by the support for the eT! project by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. “The eT! research vehicle,” explains Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, spokesperson for the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, “unifies a whole gamut of innovative functions, which will gain in future importance, specifically for logistics businesses. In particular, the possibility of driving the car semi-automatically – and electrically – in downtown areas unifies economical and environmental aspects more systematically than ever. As a vision of the future, the eT! is showcasing what is the maximum feasible technology for electric vehicles in the commercial market today with a special design that systematically addresses future customer needs.”

“eT! is a pure electrically powered transporter that systematically transfers E-mobility to the area of commercial use,” says Dr. Rudolf Krebs, Group Manager for Electric Traction at Volkswagen AG. And continues: “As a transport specialist, the eT! is advancing to become the automotive building block for an innovative, future-oriented logistics concept, which not only drives with zero emissions in urban areas – thanks to its electric wheel hub motors – but also offers maximum freedom in maneuvering and turning as well as optimal utilization of the vehicle’s interior space. If ‘refueled’ with electricity generated from renewable energy sources, the eT! can indeed be operated with zero emissions. Naturally, the eT! is not a vehicle which – unlike the Golf or up! with an electric motor – could become available very soon. But we must make plans today for what the world of lightweight commercial vehicles might look like starting in the second half of this decade, including with regard to electrical drives.”

To make the working world of mail delivery personnel and courier drivers simpler and safer, to optimize the logistics of delivery and to shorten delivery times, eT! can be operated semi-automatically in certain situations. The car can follow the delivery person from house to house (“Follow me”), or the car can return to the delivery person on command (“Come to me”) – driverless! As an alternative, the driver can direct the car’s movements via a ‘drive stick’ from the passenger’s side that also offers a standing seat and quick access to the vehicle. On the passenger’s side – the side that faces the sidewalk and therefore the working area of the delivery person – there is therefore an electrically opening sliding door that opens to 2 different stages; this enables extremely quick entry into the vehicle as well as quick access to the mail parcels. This makes unnecessary walking movements around the vehicle a thing of the past.

Variants of this lightweight transport vehicle could be implemented for all conceivable business uses. And these derived concepts are also the focus of research activities. Meanwhile, the eT! concept shown in a world premiere at the Design Centre of Potsdam was specially designed for delivery of mail shipments of all types. The research vehicle will now be integrated in a driving test study and further analyzed.

- Volkswagen

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We like this! Concept renders always look awesome but this Polo GTI -esque sporting a black roof, hood with a contrasting white body and gray running boards is just beautiful. The aggressive angles become rounded at the points and create a great way for the eye to travel along the lines.

The “Designed Around the Passenger” concept was utilized to optimize the relations between person and car size need for transport. In-wheels electric engines would open the space even more for two people plus bags.

Is it just another “Smart” or TaTa? Sure, but look around you and notice theres usually one person in that huge space they are driving.

Head over to Carscoop for more details and a huge gallery.

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Call us extremely excited! Eat your heart out Prius and Insight owners! 70mpg, drag coefficient of .237, TDI + electric + DSG sounds amazing to us. This is the 1-Litre production model. The TDI engine portion was used in this concept. At 1500lbs w/ 65PS it will be an ideal car for the commuter. The TDI can be shut off while the E-motor will power the Up! Lite by itself using its lithium-ion battery. Top speed comes in at 100mph with a 0-60 in 12secs. The Up! Lite is schedule for a 2011 launch!

This car is the world’s most fuel-efficient four-seater

• Volkswagen’s Up! Lite concept consumes just 2.44 l/100 km (70 mpg/highway)
• Concept based on the future New Small Family from Volkswagen

Europe’s strongest automotive brand – is setting standards worldwide when it comes to efficiency with its clean high-tech TDI and TSI engines. Now this is being followed up by latest coup at the Los Angeles Auto Show (December 4 to 13): the world premiere of the Up! Lite A progressive, fuel efficient and in all details cleverly designed four-seater with a hybrid drive. Combined fuel consumption: 2.44 l/100 km or 70 mpg/highway! No other car is more sustainable. With a drive concept consisting of a TDI (turbo-diesel), electric motor and 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) as well as top aerodynamics (Cd value: 0.237), Volkswagen is driving CO2 emissions down to a sensational 65 g/km. This makes the three-door concept the world’s most fuel efficient car – and from the perspective of its overall CO2 footprint the world’s most environmentally friendly four-seat car as well. Both technically and visually, the Up! Lite is a preview of the future. The image of the car body with its clean lines, as though sculpted from a block of aluminium, underscores just how fascinating a car tuned to aerodynamic perfection can look.

The ideal car for the daily commute to work

The technically challenging 2-Liter fuel consumption car might be launched globally. Many of the components of the 695 kilogram light Volkswagen are based on those of the future New Small Family, an entirely new model series that is already scheduled for market launch in initial countries at the end of 2011. The Up! Lite concept continues the Volkswagen strategy of offering high-tech and high-end quality in all of its vehicle classes, making progress affordable for every car driver. The Up! Lite was designed to be a versatile vehicle that makes trips into the city, commutes to work and naturally long trips as well significantly less expensive and more eco-friendly.

Hybrid drive enables electric driving

The centerpiece of the Up! Lite powertrain is the newly designed 0.8 TDI two-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with a power of 38 kW / 51 PS. Furthermore, the electric motor (10 kW) – designed as a pulse start module (starter, alternator and E-drive) – also reduces the load of the TDI, provides added propulsion (boosting) and works to recover kinetic energy (regenerative braking). During boost phases – e.g. in a quick passing maneuver – the TDI and E-motor combine for a total power of 48 kW / 65 PS. Incidentally, a version of the TDI used in the Up! Lite was also used aboard the L1 concept car that Volkswagen presented in September at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt.

In two of its operating phases, the hybrid drive of the Up! Lite was designed to operate without any TDI propulsion at all. First phase: In so-called coast-down, activated by the driver taking his or her foot off the gas pedal (car coasts, TDI engine is shut off). Second phase: Over shorter distances, e.g. in residential areas, the E-motor can power the Up! Lite all by itself. In this case, a lithium-ion battery supplies the energy. Since it is capable of pure electric driving, the configuration is classified as a full hybrid. Shifting work is handled by a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) like the one used in the new Polo. Moreover, the Volkswagen is equipped with a Stop-Start system.

Comfort and safety without compromises

Naturally, on the Up! Lite there is nothing lacking in comfort or safety. ESP is on board, airbags are on board, ample space is on board, highly advanced information and control features are on board, and it is good to know that occupants are enclosed and protected by a highly innovative safety frame of aluminium, steel and carbon fiber. The Volkswagen concept has a top speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) and accelerates to 100 km/h in a respectable 12.5 seconds (0-60 mph in 12 seconds).

‘Made in Germany’

Overall, the Up! Lite is a prime example of the art of innovative engineering with the ‘Made in Germany’ seal. And indeed not only because of its efficient powertrain and lightweight body construction. Other examples include: The radiator grille that closes and opens automatically depending on the cooling needs of the engine (‘active thermal management’); and instead of a classic rearview mirror, three cameras perform this job better and more aerodynamically; when the car is parked in the summer, hot air is vented to outside the vehicle (‘passive park ventilation’); an ‘optimized Easy-Entry feature’ enables extremely comfortable entry and exit from the rear seating area; longitudinal adjustments to the driver and front passenger seats automatically adjusts seat height as well; when folding the rear bench seat, the seatback is easily unlatched by folding the rear head restraints forward (‘Easy Switch’); many vehicle features (including ventilation, Internet, telephone, MP3, video, telephone, trip computer, radio) are controlled centrally via an intuitive touchscreen with hand movement sensors.

Design of the world of tomorrow

Even the most innovative car must look good to really be fun. And the Up! Lite with its ‘Liquid Blue Metallic’ exterior is fun. That is because the 3.84 meter long, 1.40 meter tall and 1.60 meter wide Up! Lite makes a futuristic, bold and – in its form – very independent appearance. It is a car that looks as though it were cast from a single mould. Compared to the E-Up! concept car presented at the 2009 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, it is lower in profile and – to satisfy even more demanding aerodynamic requirements – it is longer, nearly reaching the length of the Polo (3.98 meters).

The styling itself portrays a compact vehicle that genuinely reflects its sustainable drive system and overall progressive concept. At the rear, the Up! Lite has the appearance of a distinctive hatchback sports car. As a result, the broad shoulder section is definitely reminiscent of the Scirocco. Furthermore, the look of the lower area is dominated by the large glass surface of the hatch, the LED rear lights and the rear fog lights (c-shaped) integrated in the bumper in typical Up! style. The counterparts of these lights are found in the front bumper as front fog lights. The car’s side profile has clean styling with markedly smooth surfaces. There are no edges except for the upper tornado line, the wheel wells and a connection line integrated there. The side cameras that replace the outside mirrors look like winglets on the wings of a cargo plane. A novel stylistic and technical feature: the 18-inch wheels are produced from a combination of aluminium and carbon fiber. That is because sports appeal and fuel economy do not need to be mutually exclusive.

Already thinking about tomorrow today

By the way: In Europe, Volkswagen is currently demonstrating that minimal fuel consumption can be realized in all segments today, in the latest versions of the Polo (3.3 l/100 km; 58 mpg/highway), Golf (3.8 l/100 km; 51 mpg/highway) and Passat (4.4 l/100 km; 48 mpg/highway).

Notes:
TDI, TSI, DSG and Twincharger are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG  or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries.
All European fuel consumption data is in liter/100km per NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). All American fuel economy data is in mpg in accordance with US labeling.

- Volkswagen AG

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Volkswagen Group has unleashed a wicked array of automobiles at this years Frankfurt Motor Show. Their portfolio is so diverse now and so full of vigor it is amazing. Think of the other brands out there and name one that is like or better than than that of the Volkswagen Groups. From the Volkswagen E-Up! to the insane Bugatti Sang Blue Veyron. Electric to gas guzzlers! Small to huge, speaking about Scania here.

We’ve put together a great gallery with all these and more from their debuts on stage so have a look!

Some 2,000 representatives from national and international media enjoyed a unique evening of world premieres at the Volkswagen Group Night on the eve of the Frankfurt International Motor Show.

The motto of the evening was that a successful group has the answer to all mobility issues, and the nine brand chairmen presented their latest models and ground-breaking technologies. The newcomers made their debuts on an impressive ‘Via Vision’ pathway that wound its way through the specially converted Kuppelsaal of the Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt

The elegant Škoda Superb Combi with clever detail solutions and a very impressive cargo volume, the new Multivan from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the SEAT Ibiza IBZ concept car, the Bentley Mulsanne with its luxurious fittings, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport ‘Sang Bleu’ – a special model celebrating the brand’s centenary –, the 525 HP Audi R8 Spyder and the Lamborghini Reventón Roadster. Ulrich Hackenberg, the Volkswagen brand board of management member for development, presented the Volkswagen E-Up! Depending on driving style, the 135 km/h zero emission study can cover a driving distance of up to 130 kilometers. Scania was present at the Group Night for the first time, too. A live link to the gigantic exhibition vehicle parked outside the hall presented the new generation of the R truck series with ‘Scania Driver Support’ to the media. This system supports drivers en route and brings a significant cut in fuel consumption.

Stephan Grühsem, Head of Group Communications, was the moderator for the evening, and once the vehicle presentations were over he was delighted to welcome Michael Macht, CEO of Porsche AG, on stage. Following a brief chat among auto experts, it was the turn of Group Chairman Martin Winterkorn to say a few words. Winterkorn drew the attention of his audience to the fact that the Volkswagen Group knew better than any other automaker how to meet the wishes of drivers both today and tomorrow. ‘Here in Frankfurt, Volkswagen is making a strong and positive statement in favor of the car and in favor of Germany as a nation of car-makers and car lovers,’ Winterkorn said, and continued: ‘The future belongs to sustainable, low-emission mobility.’ He added that the Volkswagen E-Up! was a prime example of this – everyday utility, affordable and safe. Large crowds gathered round all the vehicles at the end of the presentations – a sure sign that each Group brand knows how to inspire!

- Volkswagen AG

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