After a quite difficult period with mostly scandalous news, Volkswagen tries to re-orientate its news. With the Tiguan GTE Active concept the German automaker wants to show how plug-in hybrid technology could be integrated into an off-road-ready crossover.
The GTE Active concept's powertrain starts with a 148-hp turbocharged inline-four engine. A 12.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack allows for up to 20 miles of all-electric driving at speeds up to 70 mph. If the battery is depleted, the gasoline engine can serve as a range extender, generating electricity with the front motor to power the rear motor.
The GTE Active comes a year after Volkswagen showed another plug-in hybrid crossover concept at the Detroit show. Last year's Cross Coupe GTE married a 3.6-liter V-6 gas engine with two electric motors, for a total of 355 hp. A longer-wheelbase, three-row Volkswagen Tiguan is set to arrive here by 2017, and will be built at Volkswagen's plant in Mexico.
