Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept revealed

VW reveals new Tiguan GTE Active hybrid off-road concept

Volkswagen has showcased its new hybrid Tiguan GTE Active Concept at the ongoing 2016 Detroit Motor Show. This second generation Tiguan is a five-seater concept based on VW’s MQB platform. The vehicle will be powered by two electric motors and a 1.4 litre, four cylinder TSI petrol engine.  The Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept can be driven completely on electricity for up to a claimed 32 kilometers, thanks to a 12.4 kWh battery.

Power output for the petrol engine is rated at 148 bhp and torque at 249Nm. The motor upfront produces 54 bhp and the one at the back develops 114 bhp. Power is transmitted by a six-speed double clutch automatic gearbox. The vehicle is available with four-wheel drive as it comes with VW’s 4MOTION 4WD system, while it can be operated as a rear-wheel drive as well. Every time the vehicle starts, it is started as a rear-wheel drive with only the rear electric motor working when there is enough power in the battery. When the battery does not have enough power, the front electric motor acts as a generator for the motor at the rear. The Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept comes with three selectable driving modes, E-Mode, 4MOTION Active Control and GTE Mode.

Volkswagen has given the Tiguan GTE Active Concept lots of chunky styling elements such as black plastic cladding all around, knobby 16 inch 245/70 section tyres, front and rear skid plates and a roof rack with auxiliary lamps mounted at the front to add to its adventurous off-road appeal.  Rest of the styling remains typically VW apart from the wide lower air dam.

VW states that it has styled the interiors of the Tiguan GTE Active Concept to look more rugged. Honestly though, apart from the three dimensional pattern of rhomboidal shapes on the leather upholstery for the seats and door pads there is little than looks rugged. The concept vehicle also gets a 9.2 inch infotainment screen.

Also read: Volkswagen to not buy back cars in India: Diesel Gate