Volkswagen->ke94 first introduced its GTE lineup to us with the launch of the plug-in hybrid Golf GTE. A few months later, the Germans introduced the Passat GTE, offered in both sedan and station wagon versions. These models combined a peppy powertrain, quiet operation, and great fuel economy.

Now, Volkswagen is set to expand its GTE offerings, in a way, with the new Sport Coupe Concept GTE. This four-door coupe, which is likely a preview to the next-generation CC that Volkswagen needs so badly, may give the premium brands that rule the four-door coupe segment something to worry about, given it makes production.

A new CC is a great thing, but the issue is that Volkswagen’s sub-luxury coupe->ke505 has never been a big seller. With its limited reach in its current generation, does it really even justify a new generation, let alone an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain?

Continue reading about the Sport Coupé Concept GTE to find out what I think of its potential as a production model.

2015 Volkswagen Sport Coupe Concept GTE

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Volkswagen Sport Coupe Concept GTE
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 375
  • Transmission: 6-speed DSG
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Sport Coupé Concept GTE features a very sleek and futuristic design, but there are definitely elements of a production model in there. The headlights and taillights are very much production ready, the hood is nearly a production piece, and the sleek roofline is not unlike other four-door coupes that I’ve seen in recent years. However, the stunning front end with the radiator grille, headlights and VW badge merging into a completely new design isn't likely to hit the assembly line in this configuration.

Giving the model a little style are aggressive ridges on the beltline and on the base of the doors. Additionally, a vent on the backside of each front fender adds a dab of sportiness to the sexy coupe, while flared front and rear wheel arches wrap up what look to be 20- or 21-inch rollers.

Around back, the swooping roofline stretches all the way to the trunk-lid spoiler that pokes out from the rear. Unlike the current CC, this concept appears to feature a tailgate, which means putting in and taking out cargo should be fairly simple. Down below are very wide exhaust exits that are integrated with the rear bumper. This is one element that I would be surprised to see in production form.

Clearly the intention here is to create a four-door sports car that will not only satisfy the sporting needs of gearheads, but also handle the kid-hauling duties of a parent. I think that Volkswagen did a bang-up job on this concept car, but it remains to be seen how many of these cues will make it onto the production vehicle.

Exterior Dimensions

Length

191.7 Inches

Width

73.4 Inches

Height

55.4 Inches

Wheelbase

118.9 Inches


Interior

As with many concepts, the Sport Coupe GTE's cabin is laden with state-of-the-art technology, including five massive displays. A 12.3-inch unit replaces the conventional instrument cluster, while the center stack gets a 10.1-inch infotainment display display, which keeps the center console button- and knob-free. Another 12.3-inch display at the back of the center console, as well as a pair of 10.1-inch displays in the seatbacks, give rear-seat passengers access to various functions, including the automatic climate control system, media library, telephone and navigation.

The Sport Coupe Concept GTE is also the first Volkswagen in which the car's electronics are directly interfaced with the driver. Specifically, the navigation system can monitor the driver's vital functions via a smartwatch and select which route to take based on his mood. The driver can view the selected route in the infotainment system, which provides detailed information on the type of route and on the traffic, weather and road conditions along the way.

The concept is equally impressive design-wise. The styling is simple and clean, featuring horizontal lines and elements that seem to wrap around the four passengers from front to rear. Although uncluttered, the overall design seems futuristic and high-tech. The minimalist dash is leather-trimmed at the top, a feature that transitions into the door panels, as does the aluminum and piano black trim. The slim aluminum slots on each side of the steering wheel function as vents. Other highlights include gloss-black surrounds and cupholders that can warm or cool drinks.

Drivetrain

As the GTE moniker suggests, this concept car is motivated by a hybrid drivetrain consisting of a gasoline engine and a pair of electric motors backed by a lithium-ion battery placed in the center tunnel. However, unlike the Golf and Passat GTE, which use a 1.4-liter four-cylinder, the Sport Coupe employs a turbocharged, 3.0-liter V-6. This sends 295 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission, while each of the electric motors pump additional power to both axles. The one integrated into the gearbox sends 54 ponies to the front wheels, while the second one cranks out 114 to spin the rear axle.

Combined output sits at 374 horsepower, which, according to Volkswagen, is enough to propel the four-door coupe to 62 mph in only five seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph. These figures would make the Sport Coupe the quickest GTE model yet, but it remains to be seen whether the upcoming CC GTE will keep these figures in production form. Speaking of numbers, the concept can travel for 32 miles on electric power alone and for 745 miles when using both systems. That's one extra mile on batteries alone and 123 additional miles combined compared to the Passat GTE.

The hybrid drivetrain can operate in four different modes. The car starts in "Hybrid" mode by default, making the Sport Coupe GTE a full hybrid that charges the battery via regenerative braking and uses the V-6 engine and/or the electric motor. In this mode, when the driver takes his foot off the accelerator pedal and the battery is sufficiently charged, both the gasoline engine and electric motors are shut down and disengaged from the drivetrain. Alternatively, when the battery is not sufficiently charged, the electric motors work as generators and send the energy generated during braking to the lithium-ion battery, while the V-6 is shut down and disengaged.

In "E-Mode," which can be activated at the push of a button, the car uses only the 114-horsepower electric motor powering the rear axle. In this mode, the V-6 engine is disengaged from the drivetrain.

Much like the Golf GTE and Passat GTE, the Sport Coupe Concept uses the "GTE" mode to unleash its most dynamic side. Both the V-6 and the electric motors are activated in this mode for maximum power and torque, while the throttle, transmission and steering characteristics become even sportier. It's in this configuration that the concept car hits 62 mph from a standing start in just five seconds.

Lastly, there's the "Battery Charge/Battery Hold" dual mode, which is activated via a sub-menu in the infotainment system. Best used when driving in an urban area, this mode either charges the battery while driving (Battery Charge) or enables the energy content of the lithium-ion battery to remain constant (Battery Hold).

Drivetrain Specifications

Drive system

Plug-in hybrid

Drivetrain

All-wheel drive with "electric driveshaft"

Petrol engine

3.0 V6 TSI (turbocharged, direct-injection)

Output

295 HP

Torque

369 lb-ft

Electric motors, front and rear

54 hp/ 162 lb-ft and 114 hp / 199 lb-ft

System power

374 hp

Gearbox

6-speed DSG (DQ400E)

Battery type

Lithium-ion

Battery energy capacity

10.7 kWh

Performance / fuel economy data

Top speed, hybrid

155 MPH

0-62 mph

5.0 s

Fuel consumption (NEDC, combined)

118 mpg

CO2 emissions (NEDC, combined)

46 g/km

Range, electric

> 32 miles

Range, total

> 745 miles


Prices

Pricing is a tough thing to estimate at this point, but based on the 2015 VW CC, which starts at $32,995, this GTE model would like need to start at around $39,000. That may price it out of the range of many buyers, but it will certainly give premium shoppers a lower-priced option to check out.

Competition

Chevrolet Volt

There aren’t too many plug-in hybrid four-door coupes to compete against the Sport Coupé Concept GTE, so the new Volt is about the closest thing I could come up with. For the 2016 model year, the Volt gets a far sportier look and a swoopy roofline that is somewhat similar to the VW’s.

Unlike the Sport Coupé Concept GTE, which uses the electric motor and gasoline engine at the same time, the Volt uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine strictly as a generator to power its electric motors once the batteries die. The electric motors put down a total of 149 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque, giving the Volt an 8.4-second sprint to 60 mph.

The Volt can travel a pretty decent 50 miles before the batteries are depleted and the engine kicks in. In total, the Volt will cover 420 miles on a single tank of gas.

Ford Fusion Energi

Though the Fusion Energi doesn’t have the same swoopy look as the Sport Coupe GTE Concept and seats a family of five, it does have a drivetrain that is more similar to the VW’s. At 195 horsepower combined, thanks to its 2.0-liter engine and electric motor, the Fusion Energi can hit 60 mph in eight seconds. Additionally, the Fusion is capable of travelling 19 miles on pure electricity.

In total, the EPA rates the Fusion Energi at 88 mpg-e, but once the 19 miles of electric-only range are used up, it gets a quite average 38 mpg combined.

With a base price of $34,800, the Fusion is significantly more expensive than the Volt will likely be, but slightly cheaper than a production version of the Sport Coupe GTE would be.

Conclusion

VW and its GTE lineup is bound to expand soon, and moving into an uncovered niche like a plug-in hybrid four-door coupe seems like a great way to get a head start on the competition. This model looks very production ready, and chances are that this is a preview to the next-generation CC – a model that is in desperate need of an overhaul. I think the addition of an even sportier style and an advanced drivetrain like this could be the shot in the arm the CC really needs.