Volkswagen teases new hybrid SUV concept

Called the "Beijing Concept", Volkswagen's new plug-in hybrid SUV is believed to outline the shape of the next-gen Touareg. 

The 2016 Beijing Motor Show is about to kick off in a week’s time. Before the local automobile manufacturing firms overshadow other global auto makers with their products – which are largely rip-offs of European, American cars, etc., Volkswagen decided to attract some coverage by partly revealing its “Beijing Concept” ahead of the show.

The Volkswagen Beijing Concept, as you can infer from the teaser images, previews a new SUV. As per some reports, this concept paves the way for the next-gen Touareg, although Volkswagen’s official statement does not mention it anywhere. Instead, it tells us that the new SUV will be the most advanced and most luxurious SUV by the maker.

Propelling the Beijing concept will be a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is claimed to produce 376bhp and around 700Nm of torque. That means it will do 0-100km/h in 6 seconds and a top speed of 224km/h. Running on battery power alone, it will have a range of 50km.

The exterior of Volkswagen’s Beijing concept looks equally modern – with sharp LEDs running across the bodywork. Inside, the concept SUV will demonstrate Volkswagen's continued digitization of the automobile, says the manufacturer. It will have digital controls along with an Active Info Display that merges infotainment functionality. Further, it will have a “lounge-style” interior with digitized operation centered on passengers.

As of the now, these are the only details that have been made available by Volkswagen. Come next week, Volkswagen will drop the veil on the concept and spill some more beans. Stay tuned…

Also read: Volkswagen reveals China-specific Phideon sedan