Volkswagen’s New Compact Coupe has been revealed at the Detroit Auto Show as a concept – but all the signs suggest it is anything but.
One of the most polished and production-ready vehicles in history to get the “concept” label, the New Compact Coupe represents our first look at the new Jetta, and this model will almost certainly wear CC badges (like the Passat) in the not-too-distant future.
Combining an 110 kW / 240 N.m 1,4-litre TSI engine and a 20 kW electric motor with VW’s seven-speed DSG transmission, the electric motor can either work independently of the engine to make it a full hybrid or in tandem to provide more grunt under heavy acceleration. With an emphasis on performance and driving enjoyment, the New Compact Coupe sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and keeps on going all the way to 227 km/h. But more important are those smaller numbers, which are very small: combined-cycle fuel consumption of 4.2 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of just 98g/km.
The design of the New Concept Coupe was overseen by head of design for the Volkswagen Group, Walter de Silva, and styled by a team led by head of Volkswagen Design, Klaus Bischoff – apparently using a stencil of the Audi A5. Its clean lines, sharp details, intricate bi-xenon headlights and aerodynamically efficient grille represent an evolution of the styling direction already seen on the Golf and Polo models. The theme is continued inside with four white leather bucket seats, and a practical 380 litre boot.
The official line says “the New Compact Coupe remains a concept at present with no immediate plans for production”, but we don’t think VW is fooling anyone with that line. After the inevitable positive feedback from the Detroit masses, expect to see this car on the road very soon.
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