Volkswagen has unveiled the Tiguan GTE Active Concept at the Detroit auto show, which is a plug-in version of the Tiguan SUV as the company looks to add more electric vehicles to its offerings.
The global debut of the vehicle at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) comes amid a period of immense difficulties for the company, as it is still embroiled in an emission cheating scandal that saw Volkswagen vehicles cheat on emission tests for up to 11 million vehicles all over the world.
The Tiguan GTE Active Concept is based on the second-generation Tiguan, which is set to launch in the United States next year. It is not apparent from the name of the vehicle, but it is an all-wheel, plug-in hybrid crossover SUV that features a pair of electric motors with a gasoline engine. The Tiguan GTE Active Concept is also capable of off-road driving, even while in electric mode.
The five-seater SUV will feature a six-speed automatic transmission along with its turbocharged, direct-injection TSI gasoline engine, capable of producing 148 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, and the two electric motors that can put out 221 combined horsepower.
The SUV will be able to travel 20 miles while in all-electric mode, with the driving range of the Tiguan GTE Active Concept, based on a 16.9-gallon fuel tank and a 12.4 kWh battery capacity, at 580 miles.
The Tiguan GTE Active Concept will be the first SUV that will be using Volkswagen's Modular Transverse Matrix, known as MQB, and shares the same short overhangs, long wheelbase and exceptional packaging of vehicles that are based on the said architecture.
The SUV also comes equipped with a variety of safety technology such as front assist with pedestrian monitoring and autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian protection offered by an active hood, an automatic post-collision braking system and lane assist.
The infotainment system of the Tiguan GTE Active Concept is also highlighted with a 9.2-inch touchscreen, gesture control, a heads up display and an active info display with fully digital instruments.
The SUV shows an increased emphasis on SUVs which is becoming popular among Americans and on environmentally friendly technology, which is critical to Volkswagen's rehabilitation of its image.
The Tiguan GTE Active Concept was already in development before the emission cheating scandal against the company broke out. However, it also fits well within the roadmap of new Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller to overhaul the embattled car company through the launch of 20 semi-electric or all-electric vehicles by the year 2020.
"This all-new Tiguan, built on VW's advanced MQB platform, should put the German automaker back on even footing in the lucrative midsize SUV segment," said Kelley Blue Book senior analyst Karl Brauer, adding that the offering of a plug-in hybrid shows Volkswagen's commitment to the development of alternative powertrain technology.
At his keynote speech at the recently concluded CES 2016, Volkswagen chairman Dr. Herbert Diess apologized to the country for the emission scandal, which affected 500,000 cars in the United States. Diess then explained in detail how Volkswagen will be redefining every aspect of the car company to move forward from the scandal.
