VW Cross Coupe GTE Concept Debuts, Previews New Mid-Size Three-Row SUV

After years of teases, hints, and various concept-car previews, Volkswagen finally is ready to show us its Tennessee-built three-row crossover. Well, almost—the Cross Coupe GTE concept you see here is the last in a line of show cars slated to precede the new U.S.-centric SUV. The lineage began with 2013’s CrossBlue concept, which was followed by the CrossBlue Coupe, and now this, the GTE, which VW is desperate to convince you is the direct preview for the production mid-size crossover we’ve been waiting for.

In a “no, for real, guys, it’s actually happening” tone, VW is quick to point out all of the Cross Coupe GTE’s production-ready features: a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, MQB underpinnings (VW Group’s transverse, front-drive–based modular platform), and even specific body dimensions. Details such as the GTE’s two-row five-seat cabin configuration (the 2017 SUV that VW will build in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will offer a third row), huge wheels, and gesture-based interior controls, however, are perhaps merely window dressing intended to grab attention on the automotive calendar’s biggest stage, the Detroit auto show.

NO, IT’S NOT A COUPE

As you probably can tell from the photos, the Cross Coupe GTE is not a coupe. It is instead a handsome and modern-looking SUV, with LED running lights, neatly tailored sheetmetal, and ludicrously sized 22-inch wheels. The squared-off front end reminds us of the current Passat, and there’s even some Chevy Camaro in there, too. As for the rear, it resembles a chiseled Porsche Macan as designed by a stylist who only had access to a straight ruler. These days, it’s trendy to refer to anything with four wheels and a mere hint of a sloping roofline as some sort of coupe; this is of course dumb, and the production version of the GTE will wear a longer, boxier back end for optimal interior packaging. At 190.8 inches long, 79.9 inches wide, and 68.3 inches tall, the GTE is ever so slightly larger than VW’s two-row Touareg. Yet thanks to its MQB bones and transverse engine layout, the GTE makes better use of its similar dimensions (the Touareg’s engine sits longitudinally). The GTE’s wheelbase of 117.3 inches—which we’re told will carry over to the production model unchanged—is 3.4 inches longer than that of the Touareg.

This concept seemingly takes off-roading ability—or at least the appearance of it—seriously. A driving-mode selector offers Snow, Sport, On-Road, and Off-Road parameters; we wouldn’t be shocked if this Jeep Grand Cherokee–like feature makes it to the production model, especially given the proclivity of our fellow Americans to fetishize SUV “capability” even if they never use it.