Volkswagen Teasing Plug-In Hybrid SUV Concept For Beijing

8 years, 6 months ago - 19 April 2016, Autoblog

Volkswagen has a new concept lined up for the Beijing Motor Show. Previewed in this quartet of teaser images, the concept ostensibly paves the way for the next Touareg. And it's packing every trick that one of the world's largest automakers has to throw at it.

For starters, the Beijing concept is being powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Though its components have yet to be revealed, VW says the system will produce 376 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That's about the same power as the current hybrid Touareg, but much more torque. The German automaker says it would hit 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds flat, top out at 224 km/h, deliver 78 miles per gallon on the NEDC combined cycle, and travel for 31 miles on electric power alone.

The concept is also slated to incorporate digital controls, merging the infotainment and instruments into one symbiotic system in a "lounge-style interior." Looking in these preview images like something out of Tron, VW also says the "concept moves luxury SUV design to a more sporty and elegant level." We'll have to wait until the full reveal to find out for ourselves, but with the doors set to open at the show in the Chinese capital in just a week from now, we won't have wait very long.