Showing Off The Volkswagen CrossBlue Hybrid Concept At The Detroit Auto Show

2013 naias volkswagen cross blue suv concept
The Volkswagen CrossBlue concept SUV has impressive stage presence.

They’ve pulled back the curtain on the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept Hybrid SUV at the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS). This mid-size crossover SUV has third-row seating so there’s room enough for six and as a diesel-electric plug-in hybrid it boasts an estimated fuel economy rating of 35 mpg combined, 89 MPGe in electric mode.

A 2.0-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder engine mates up with two electric motors that give the Volkswagen CrossBlue 305 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. This big hybrid will move, going from 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. It’s got a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox with one electric motor working the front wheels and a second spinning the back axle.

vw cross blue hybrid suv concept detroit auto show

Driving range in all-electric mode is about 14 miles, but adding in the benefit of the 18.5 gallon fuel tank give an overall range of 661 miles at 75mph. You’re not going to get stuck charging and refilling this vehicle constantly on road trips.

The Volkswagen CrossBlue interior currently has room for six, but a bench seat touted for the third row on production models would give it enough room for seven. There’s cargo space behind the third row, but you can also fold up that row and increase the cargo space for larger loads with fewer passengers.

Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. When not drooling over cars, Nicole writes for Wired’s GeekMom.