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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• New Small Family with E-Motor
• E-Up! Concept – Outlook for the Beetle of the 21st Century
• World premiere: Volkswagen is presenting city specialist with electric motor

Winterkorn: We will launch a zero emissions Up! on the market in 2013

Volkswagen is presenting a pioneering fleet of new sustainable automobiles at the 63rd International Motor Show (IAA) – an update on the future. The range of IAA premieres extends from the world’s most fuel-efficient production passenger car (BlueMotion) to hybrid technology and an electric car developed from the ground up – the E-Up! that is being presented in a world premiere in Frankfurt.

Low + High-res galleries after the jump!

E-Motor plus TDI and TSI shape the future

Altogether, these Volkswagens are revising milestones on the timeline between present and future. “One of the basic milestones on this timeline,” says Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group, “is the mass produced electric car. Yet, to be a genuine success such an electric car must be affordable to a broad customer base and must be uncompromisingly practical in everyday driving. Only then, in high volumes, and ideally on all continents, can one truly speak of the beginning of the electric age in automobiles and a perceptible reduction of their environmental impact.” The Group chief continues: “Nonetheless, until the production numbers of a purely electric car approach the success curve of a Polo, its schedule will indicate the year 2020 at the earliest. That is why our highly efficient TDI and TSI engines are the most important waypoints of the present. They will continue to be a dominant force for decades. And they are what allow us to make the step-by-step transition to the future. Cars with pure petrol and diesel engines – which in the foreseeable future will continue be unbeatable for mid- to long-range distances – will be supplemented by cars like the E-Up! in upcoming years, especially in the city. And that will happen starting in 2013. The concept car now being presented in Frankfurt very realistically shows how we envision such a Volkswagen with pure electric drive – technically, visually and with regard to a practical size.”

The zero-emissions concept car designed under the leadership of Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management, Volkswagen Brand, and Head of the Development business area, is based on modules of the New Small Family anticipated in the year 2011, but at a length of 3.19 meters it is even more compact. It also offers an innovative 3+1 seating concept. In its styling, the powerful and clearly drawn lines of the E-Up! body follow the new Volkswagen “design DNA” par excellence and show cult potential. That is because never before has an ultra-compact vehicle – which does not aim to be retro but forges new paths instead – brought such appealing, timeless, class-independent and dynamic qualities to light. Inside, the smallest Volkswagen ever also astonishes with its impressive space utilization.

Drive unit – battery and integral drive

The 135 km/h fast 3+1 seater is driven by an electric motor with a peak power output of 60 kW (continuous power: 40 kW). The motor of the front-wheel drive car, which is mounted in front, develops a maximum torque of 210 Newton-meters right from rest. The driver activates forward or reverse gear via a rotary knob in the centre console. The fact that the E-Up! will also quite clearly offer driving enjoyment is demonstrated by a look at the car’s classic 0 to 100-km/h sprint time: 11.3 seconds. The E-Up! develops even greater responsiveness in the intermediate sprint from 0 to 50 km/h in city driving: 3.5 seconds. This dynamic performance is based first on the electric motor’s excellent torque characteristic and second on the low curb weight of the E-Up!, which is just 1,085 kilograms.

Lithium-ion battery: The car’s low weight is quite astounding, given the fact that 240 kilograms are taken up by the lithium-ion battery. The implemented battery’s energy capacity of 18 kilowatt-hours (kWh) enables driving distances of up to 130 kilometres, depending on driving style – enough for the city and the drives of most commuters. The E-Up! will be “refueled” in the garage at home, in a parking structure or on the road at one of the future municipal recharging stations that will be enabled by chip card. Depending on the available charging infrastructure and the battery’s momentary charge state, the storage battery could be charged to up to 80 percent of its total capacity within an hour.

If the batteries are recharged in a home garage, for example, by plugging it into a 230-Volt household outlet, this would take a maximum of five hours. Generally, off-peak night-time electric rates are very inexpensive. So refueled at night the E-Up! could be driven 100 kilometres for just two Euros in electricity costs (about 14 Euro cents / kWh).

The batteries themselves are housed in the underbody of the E-Up! To optimally distribute the weight of the battery system, it is housed in a special, crash-protected tray in the underbody frame. Air cooling ensures a constant heat balance within the batteries. The fans and heat exchangers needed for this are housed in the front section of the underbody.

Integral drive: The teams of Concept Development (headed by Ralf-Gerhard Willner) and Engine Development (headed by Dr. Jens Hadler) integrated all important drive assemblies and auxiliary assemblies in the engine compartment at the front end. The design of an integrated form of the electric drive made a key contribution toward reducing weight and space requirements for the drive unit. Background: All components important to the power-train are unified in compact form in the so-called integral drive. In this unit, the electric motor, together with the transmission and differential, form the centerpiece of this drive. Energy is supplied via a high-power pulse-control inverter, which is combined with the 12-Volt electrical system DC/DC converter and the charger to form the compact integral drive. At 140 kilograms, the integral drive is also very lightweight. To summarize its advantages: low space requirement, ideal acoustic comfort, high torque and power development and strong driving performance in the city. So the system fulfills the requirements of an innovative electric drive in a nearly ideal way.

Styling – the Beetle of the 21st Century

The E-Up! emphatically demonstrates that emission-free Volkswagens will be anything but lacking in emotion. Responsible for this, once again, is the team led by Group Chief Designer Walter de Silva. Together with Klaus Bischoff (Chief Designer, Volkswagen Brand) and Flavio Manzoni (Head of Creative Design, Volkswagen Group), he developed a layout for the E-Up! that reflects the visual bandwidth of the future New Small Family. The E-Up! bears a resemblance to previously presented concept vehicles of this new model series – the Up! (city specialist), Space-Up! (microvan) and Space-Up Blue! (fuel cell powered van) – it represents a design stage that reflects the future production car even more closely.

“The E-Up!”, says Klaus Bischoff, “is characterized by a reduced, very clear and yet highly emotional design.” And that is certainly no coincidence. The car’s lines consistently follow Volkswagen’s new era “design DNA” that was developed by de Silva, Bischoff and Manzoni. Its key stylistic traits: Simplicity, purity, durability and perfection of its technologies and quality. Bischoff: “The new concept is therefore very much in harmony with its stylistic ‘siblings’ of the New Small Family, the Roadster BlueSport and the new Polo.” Dimensions of the E-Up! are 3.19 meters (length) x 1.64 meters (width) x 1.47 meters (height). Its wheelbase is 2.19 meters.

Front end: Although E-Up! styling was developed from the Up!, the electric car differs from conventionally powered models in the new model series. Consider the front end: It fits in perfectly with the brand’s new family face, yet at the same time it refers back to one of the greatest icons in automotive history in the area of the engine bonnet: the Beetle. Nonetheless, the E-Up! does not reveal the slightest hint of retro styling; instead, designers created new and unmistakable styling tools that would carry the small Volkswagen far into the future.

Fitting in with this image are the headlights with their facet-like lenses – cut like diamonds – that extend over the entire width of the lens cover. Another interesting detail: the fog lights. At first glance they can hardly be recognized as such. The designers have configured them as C-shaped, chrome-trimmed elements in the headlight housings. Also style-defining is the black line running in a circular pattern in the bumper – a typical characteristic of the New Small Family. “In the interplay of all elements, the bumper, headlights and engine bonnet,” explains Klaus Bischoff, “the E-Up! really appears to smile. And that is how it should be.” Conspicuous: There are hardly any openings at the front end, since there is no need for separate cooling of the drive unit.

The VW logo on the V-shaped engine bonnet of the E-Up! is more than just an homage to the Beetle. Hidden behind the folding logo is the integrated port for charging the batteries. The advantage of positioning the plug port here is that it makes it easier to recharge the E-Up! from stations on either the left or right sides of the street or directly in front of the car.

Side profile: “In keeping with Volkswagen’s “design DNA” the side sections also exhibit a high level of stylistic purity, following the Bauhaus principle created in the 1920s in Germany that ‘less is more’,” says Flavio Manzoni. This car’s visual identity is very intentionally created by just a few graphic elements that blend together to form a new unit in the classic Bauhaus approach to creative art and innovative technology. These defining elements of the E-Up! side profile include its side glass and shoulder styling line above the door handles known as the tornado line. The side profile styling is further defined by the car’s short body overhangs, the confident outward shaping of the wheel housings and unique C-pillar. Flavio Manzoni explains the special presence of the C-pillar: “Visually, the vertically aligned C-pillar is positioned above the rear wheel, which conveys a feeling of balance and solidity. These properties are indispensable for a Volkswagen. Last but not least, the prominent and powerful wheel styling gives the car a perfect ‘demeanour’”.

Rear end: The basic graphic forms of the tailgate and rear bumper follow those of the very first Up! However, the once again completely glazed tailgate now exhibits significantly larger taillights in dark smoked glass look. Running through the taillights is a line trimmed in chrome that extends across the tailgate. The circular chrome line unites the two taillights in a vertical direction. These accents are also reflected in the matching graphic element of the front and rear bumpers.

Solar roof: The roof of the E-Up! is equipped with solar cells over an area measuring 1.4 square meters. This area – between the rear part of the roof edge spoiler and the front windscreen – can be enlarged to 1.7 square meters in total by folding down the sun visors that are also equipped with solar cells. The solar cells continuously supply energy to the car’s electrical system, and while the vehicle is parked they help to cool the interior by supplying energy to the car’s ventilation system.

Interior I – Instruments and controls

Flavio Manzoni: “The interior was designed in complete harmony with the car’s exterior styling, and it exhibits a similar aesthetic with a technical-purist influence.” To improve the electric car’s energy economy by avoiding unnecessary loads, actuators such as mirror adjustment and window lifts were designed to be manually operated. Nonetheless, the highly innovative E-Up! makes its appearance with an impressive array of future generation high-tech displays and controls. They are all quite self-explanatory, and the car’s controls are intuitive, making driving and life with this Volkswagen as simple and stress-free as possible.

HMI: The concept car has a touch-screen based HMI (Human Machine Interface) with intelligent E-Up! specific indicators and assistance functions. During navigation, the system continually monitors the momentary load state of the batteries, for example, as well as activated energy consumers such as lights and air conditioner, momentary traffic data, elevation profiles of potential routes and the locations of available charging stations. The driver can display these “filling stations” at any time; available charging stations may be reserved within a defined reservation time period.

The charging process can also be precisely planned to the minute via the HMI. This lets users charge the E-Up! during a specific time period in which electricity is available at special low rates. The charging process can be activated at any time via an intuitively operated application installed on an iPhone or similar mobile device, even from outside of the vehicle. Even more: From the application users can query the momentary charge status and vehicle location (the latter via map display) or simply check whether the car is locked. Moreover, to preserve vehicle battery power the program lets users pre-condition the E-Up! interior. This involves cooling or heating the car’s interior as long as the car is still connected to the charging station and is drawing its electrical power from the electrical grid.

Interior II – 3+1 seating concept

The generous space implemented over a total vehicle area of just 5.1 square meters is absolutely astounding. Several factors are responsible for this clever packaging. First, there is the reduced size of the instrument panel, which was shifted further forward than usual toward the engine compartment. This was enabled, among other things, by optimizing the components within the instrument panel. Second, the small Volkswagen is a 3+1 seater. This means that the front passenger seat is located 50 millimeters forward, thanks to the instruments being shifted further forward. This layout increases leg room in the rear behind the front passenger tremendously. As a result, two adults can sit comfortably on the passenger’s side. Stepping into the vehicle is also simplified by an Easy-Entry feature, which allows the front passenger’s seat to be pushed up to 270 millimeters away from the rear bench. There is less leg room behind the “normally” positioned driver’s seat; the space here was designed as a spare seat.

Additional freedom of movement is provided to rear passengers by lowering the centre tunnel in front of the rear bench seat; it serves as an additional footrest. This enables use of an electric handbrake in the style of the Passat, so that no lever mechanism obstructs the footwell.

Cargo area: The clever packaging solutions do not end there: To optimize comfort in the rear, the rear seat backrest is split 40/60. When the backrest on the driver’s seat is folded down (40 percent section), stowage capacity is increased from 85 to 180 litres (with loading to the upper edge of the front seat backrest). This stowage space can be enclosed by a load barrier that folds down out from the folded backrest. When the entire rear seating backrest is folded down, a stowage capacity of 320 litres is created. It is even 520 litres when loaded to the roofliner. To transport long objects, the front passenger’s backrest can also be folded to a pass-through position. In this configuration, the E-Up! can handle objects up to two metres in length.

This high degree of variability will also certainly characterize the affordable production version of an Up! powered by an electric motor. That is because electric cars, as Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn insists and therefore wrote into the specification for this future Volkswagen, must be truly affordable and offer uncompromising everyday practicality.

Micro-mobility in the city – made by Volkswagen

Volkswagen is comprehensively addressing implementation of this everyday practicality. These efforts not only encompass the vehicle itself, but the entire environment around the car driver. In the city, for example, this includes the realization that after parking the E-Up! people will want to cover shorter distances without a car – from the job to lunch, to the fitness studio, another meeting, whatever is on the day’s schedule. For these shorter trips, the Volkswagen “Micro-mobility in the city” concept team has invented clever zero-emission micro-vehicles. The Kickstep, for example, which is an ultra-compact folding scooter. And the electrically powered Microbully, a scooter that also fits easily in the E-Up! load space. There is also the ped-tric, a folding bike with electric motors built into the wheel hubs that could also make the trip to the city aboard the E-Up! And even the VW_1M, a large electric moped – the size of a carry-on case when not in use – that could be stowed in the E-Up! without even needing to fold down the rear bench seat. Such micro-mobility solutions were created at the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam. So the E-Up! will be putting many things into motion. In 2013 this will become a reality for the first time.

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Note:
TDI, TSI, DSG and Twincharger are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries.

- Volkswagen AG

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You're reading The zero-emissions Volkswagen E-Up! Concept from Frankfurt originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

VW is set to make a huge profit on every model it sells of its upcoming city car, the Up!, according to Autocar sources.

The Up!, a car being pitched against the Peugeot 107, Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo, will be built for around 900 euro (£775) at its low-cost Indian assembly plant.

With VW planning to sell the Up! for around 9000 Euro (£7700), the firm will be making a substantial profit on every model sold.

The VW group plans to make around 1.4 million units a year, including the VW Up! and Skoda and Seat variants. The VW Up! was first seen as a concept car at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show.

It will be pitched below the Polo in the VW range but it should be seen as more of a replacement for the now extinct Lupo than the current Fox.

VW has also shown off different Up! variants at various motor shows, including the four-door Space Up! and electric Space Up! Blue.

- Autocar

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Yes, that is Hans-Joachim Stuck at the wheel! Click here to view gallery

• Roadster offers the most driving fun with the least fuel
• 226 km/h fast Concept BlueSport consumes just 4.3 liters diesel

Roadster study is propelled by highly efficient mid-engine

This Roadster will make people long for summer and the future: the Concept BlueSport from Volkswagen. Characteristics: maximum dynamic performance with minimal fuel consumption. Average fuel consumption of precisely 4.3 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers sets a record; no other sports car consumes less. And so its CO2 emissions are low too: 113 g/km. The Concept BlueSport impressively fulfills the Euro-6 standard that does not go into effect until 2014. The two-seater is still a concept; but as a production car it would have the best talents for turning the segment of compact, genuine sports cars upside down. That is because this roadster is sporty, sustainable and affordable all at once – a people’s car and a sports car for a new era.

Comeback of compact agility

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Behind the two sport seats of the 3.99 meter long Concept BlueSport (axle load distribution: 45:55) is an exclusively boosted TDI or TSI engine that delivers dynamics – these are high-tech engines that consume little yet deliver a lot. In the first prototype, it is a 132 kW / 180 PS strong Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection and downstream NOx storage catalytic converter. At a low 1,750 rpm – right from the engine speed ‘cellar’ – the 2.0 liter turbo engine develops its maximum torque of 350 Newton-meters. That equals the torque curve of an approx. 300 PS strong six-cylinder gasoline engine! A 6-speed dual clutch transmission – the most economical and agile transmission system in the world – transfers this power to the rear wheels. It is shifted either automatically or via shift paddles on the steering wheel. In just 6.6 seconds the sports car is moving at a speed of 100 km/h; its top speed is 226 km/h. These are the key parameters of a new and yet classic sports car philosophy. The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes an unmistakable statement about sustainability.

Concept without compromises

Volkswagen set just two objectives in the car’s development: maximum driving fun and minimal fuel consumption. And so a mid-engine sports car was implemented that makes no compromises, and that aims at low weight and maximum agility right from the start. Although it is best-in-class when it comes to body rigidity, the Concept BlueSport weighs in at less than 1,200 athletic kilograms – at 180 PS that yields a power-to-weight ratio of 6.6 PS per kilogram. The results: performance that is exceedingly impressive in all of life’s situations, complemented by the cited fuel economy and emissions advantages. Low weight was attained by consistent application of lightweight construction methods (among other things, the soft top – at 27 kilograms – is the lightest in its class, and the hoods are made of aluminum) and by a body layout with succinctly compact dimensions.

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Despite all of the sports car fascination it packs on board, it still offers a respectable level of everyday utility. In the cargo area under the front hood, for example, the Concept BlueSport can stow 112 liters of luggage; its counterpart in the rear can handle an additional 70 liters of cargo. Altogether that makes 182 liters – enough for working documents or an extended weekend trip for two. Also extended, by the way, are the distances between any two fuel fill-ups. With a fuel tank volume of 50 liters and the noted fuel economy of 4.3 liters per 100 kilometers, the car’s theoretical range is greater than 1,150 kilometers.

Two technologies already being used in the latest Volkswagen BlueMotion models are making a positive impact on the Concept BlueSport’s range, fuel economy and emissions as part of the so-called Eco mode: an automatic start-stop system and braking energy regeneration. The place where automatic start-stop shines is in city driving. When the Concept BlueSport stops at a red traffic light, for example, it automatically shuts off its engine. As soon as the light turns green again, just tapping on the gas pedal is enough to start the engine lightning fast. Its operation is fully intuitive and saves up to 0.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in the city. Furthermore, energy is generated by the alternator (regeneration) and stored in the vehicle battery primarily when the Concept BlueSport is braked, and this relieves the engine to further improve fuel economy.

Design without gimmickry

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The Concept BlueSport – painted in Flex Silver painted and featuring an orange colored fabric roof – was designed by a team led by Klaus Bischoff (Director of Design for the Volkswagen Brand) and Thomas Ingenlath (Director of the Design Center in Potsdam). ‘The design of the Concept BlueSport,’ says Klaus Bischoff, ‘represents a perfect synthesis of technology and aesthetics. Its form is very clear and is reduced to essentials; the car body itself has a lean and linear structure.’ Thomas Ingenlath adds: ‘Emanating powerfully from this car body are the circular wheel housings, flared out in three dimensions as on a sculpture. The radial surfaces, edges and blending of forms emphasize the wheels and thereby the agility of the BlueSport concept car. The lateral air intakes are identifying features of the mid-engine layout, and their volume-redu cing styling offers visualization of the car’s sporty low weight.’

Powerful proportions

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The proportions of the Concept BlueSport give it an exceptionally powerful and impressive appearance. Along with its low height of 1.26 meters, the car’s image is shaped by the fact that the wheelbase (2.43 meters) appears large in proportion to the car’s overall length of about four meters, and its ample track widths are large relative to the car’s width (1.75 meters). In front, the sports car exhibits a track of 1.49 meters; in the rear it is 1.52 meters. In the sum of its dimensions, first of all, the powerfully styled body of the Concept BlueSport is clearly much shorter and even lower to the ground than that of a car like the Scirocco, yet it appears longer and a lot wider than the small Fox, for example. And it is precisely these proportions that the compact roadster uses to make an especially powerful statement on its custom designed 19-inch alloy spoke wheels.

Front end design

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In front, the Concept BlueSport is characterized by a new Volkswagen de sign language that was first introduced on the Scirocco and the new Golf. It is based on a ‘design DNA’ that will shape all new Volkswagens. This design DNA was developed by Walter de Silva (Director of Design for the Volkswagen Group), Flavio Manzoni (Director of Creative Design for Volkswagen AG) and Klaus Bischoff. On the one hand, it preserves historical elements, but on the other it represents a re-interpretation of Volkswagen de sign. Familiar elements on the new Polo, Golf and Scirocco are the dominant dual horizontal lines formed by the narrow radiator grille and the painted bumper. In the lower area, large air intakes in black extend across the entire vehicle width, and integrated in them – under translucent, dark-tinted plastic covers – are the LED flashers.

Meanwhile, the car’s interpretation of individual features shows just how these style elements can be implemented in a broad the range of vehicles. Consider the headlights and taillights: Although the Concept BlueSport with its bi-xenon headlights and LED taillights is identifiable as a contemporary Volkswagen, it is still extremely independent. The roadster look is evident in details such as the daytime running lights designed as a narrow, C-shaped light strip (in the main headlamp housing) and – in the style of high-performance sports cars – the distinct outward flare of the fenders whose shapes are charged with energy.

Thomas Ingenlath, lead project designer for the BlueSport concept car, sums it up this way: ‘The concept car looks into the viewer’s eyes with a powerful, masterful look; everything is clear and precise. Standing here is an agile athlete displaying strength without an aggressive attitude.’

A systematic approach was applied to everything here, as emphasized by Flavio Manzoni: ‘Unique, simple, universal – that is the authentic spirit of Volkswagen: clear design features in a complex world – this is the philosophy that currently guides Volkswagen design. These are cars like the Up! and Space Up! concept cars or the Scirocco and Golf, which reflect the concept of aesthetic clarity without compromise. And we are now carrying this forward with the Concept BlueSport.’

Rear end

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This approach is evident at first glance in the rear of the car. Lines emanating from the contour of the rear fender frame a shoulder section that would be hard to imagine with greater dynamism or clarity. In the center, there is a large stripe painted in car color, and in the upper section a narrow black line defining the border between the bumper and the engine or trunk hood. Prominent on this line, which also joins the taillights, is the VW logo. The taillights were intentionally styled to be similar to the headlights in their form. Inside, both lights have a C-shaped LED component that radiates far and extremely brightly into the night with each brake actuation. The third brake light was integrated in the rear trunk lid, above the VW logo.

In the lower section, a horizontal surface in black is the defining visual element; the tailpipes are located at its outboard edges – right next to the contour of the fender lines. A surface in car color formed by the fender and wheel housing panels on the car’s side defines the end of the bumper. At its center, the bumper has an area that is aerodynamically styled as a diffuser.

Side profile

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On its sides, once again it is the circular shapes of the wheel housings and outer fender edges – typical of Volkswagen – that are part of the clear, precise, powerful and highly aesthetic line work. In addition, extremely short overhangs define the styling of the car’s side profile. Moreover, the ten-spoke alloy wheels with tire sizes 235/35 ZR19 (front) and 245/35 ZR19 (rear) – which completely fill out the large wheel housings – create a look that would otherwise only be offered in the realm of super sports cars.

Note:
All data and equipment contained in this press release apply to models offered in Germany. They may differ in other countries. All information is subject to change or correction.

TDI, TSI, DSG and Twincharger are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries.

- Volkswagen

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You're reading The Volkswagen Concept BlueSport offers more fun with less fuel originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

Here is the first sketch of the mid-size it plans on building in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is very “domestic” looking with sharper angles than that seen in the Scirocco or Golf MKVI. We assume it would be toned down to mesh with the new designs coming out. However, we do have a good bit until the Chattanooga plant opens in 2011.

Let us know what you think!

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