Volkswagen threw-off its ongoing “dieselgate” problems in North America by surprising the media preview crowd in Detroit with the Tiguan GTE Active Concept.
Based on the good-looking 2016 Model Year Tiguan, as the name suggests the Active Concept follows the lead of the Passat and Golf GTE models by adopting a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
So we have Volkswagen’s 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine offering 110kW and a pair of electric motors (85kW at the rear and 40kW at the front). The front electric motor is housed inside the casing of the six-speed DSG transmission.
Total output is 165kWand the Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept has a pure electric driving range of 32kms at speeds under 100km/h.
Drive is to the rear wheels – the fronts only see action when traction is lost at the rear.
Styling gets a raised ride height to accommodate the BF Goodrich off-road tyres, tough-looking bumpers, side sills and wheel arch protectors plus some meaty-looking roof rails.
Inside we see Volkswagen’s latest ‘party trick’ – the gesture control 9.2-inch touchscreen and full digital instruments.
