Volkswagen Tiguan GTE active is a hybrid SUV with serious off-road ambitions. The newly presented Volkswagen study predicts hybrid version of the new Tiguan, which will have the additional possibility of improved terrain package for better and more efficient use when driving off-road. The total combined engine power is going to be 225 horsepower.

VW Detroit press conference with Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active premiere

*please note that the part about Volkswagen Tiguan GTE active premiere starts at 14:20

Volkswagen Tiguan GTE active is completely off-road adapted

At Volkswagen they are doing all they can to repare their reputation and public image, which was hardly damaged after the last year’s outbreak of diesel affair. That is why they devoted considerable attention to this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. They presented a study of a hybrid version of the new SUV, called Volkswagen Tiguan GTE active with more pronounced terrain capabilities. Tiguan GTE active was given the adapted chassis, 4.5 cm more ground clearance compared to regular Tiguan (total of 22.5 centimeters), better entry and exit angles for off-road driving. From the outside it looks really different from classic Tiguan. Thanks to different bumpers, headlamps, more protective plastic, black rear-view mirrors housing and few more details it looks like this vehicle wants to leave the asphalt and climb some mountains.

Volkswagen Tiguan GTE active will be sent in showrooms by the end of the year. It will certainly be VW’s serious and direct attack on the North American SUV market. In addition the Germans are also preparing a bigger SUV with seven seats.

Petrol engine plus two electric motors equals 221 “horses”

The essence of the study is the hybrid drive. Volkswagen made some adjustments to already known GTE drive, which was first seen in smaller Golf. Tiguan will be powered by a combination of 1.4-liter turbocharged direct-injection TSI gasoline engine (148 horsepower, 184 pound-feet of torque) in cooperation with two electric motors. The one in front will provide 54 horsepower to the front axle  and the rear electric engine will enrich the rear pair of wheels with extra 114 hp. When all three engines will work together at maximum capacity we can expect a combined engine power of 225 “horses”.

Hybrid Tiguan range: nearly a thousand kilometers or six hundred miles

Based on the press release Tiguan GTE active concept will have many propulsion options. It can have 100 percent electric all-wheel drive, rear wheel electric drive, front wheel electric drive, hybrid drive … all based on the driving needs, traction and road situation.

Volkswagen Tiguan GTE active electric-only range is set at 20 miles (32 kilometers), the electromotors are powered from lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 12.4 kilowatt hours. The total range of the car (electric + petrol) without refueling is 933 kilometers or 580 miles.

The driver will be able to choose between six driving modes, all tailored to the conservation of energy or its extraction from the petrol engine. As far as interior is concerned, Volkswagen highlight the newly developed infotainment system with 9.2-inch digital touch screen. It will have gesture control and will enable smartphone mirroring via different platforms such as Car Play, Android and Auto Mirror Link. Sounds familiar? Check SYNC 3 article.

Volkswagen Tiguan will be first launched in Germany in spring 2016.

Image credit: Volkswagen