2017 Tiguan GTE Active Concept Will Challenge the Harsh Off-Road Conditions

Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept made its debut at the North American International Auto Show and caught the eye with its countless innovative approaches, the efficient plug-in hybrid system, hi-tech gadgets and overall superior quality.

Based on the second-generation Tiguan, the Concept offers incredible performance capabilities: via the four-wheel-drive system and the 4MOTION Active Control system this vehicle can cover up to 20 miles in all-electric mode and with the engine engaged, this number drastically rises to up to 580 miles.

Also, the Tiguan GTE Active Concept embraces the latest and greatest safety systems such as the Front Assist with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Monitoring, Lane Assist and Automatic Post-Collision Braking system. Another highlight is the infotainment system: this sweetie features the top of the line 9,2-inch touch screen, gesture control, Active Info Display and heads-up display.

Exterior design

The second-generation Tiguan is based on the modular tansverse matrix and comes with the same long wheelbase, short overhangs and exceptional architecture. The Tiguan GTE Active Concept is 176 inches long, 74 inches wide, 69.5 inches tall and has a wheelbase length of 105.6 inches.

Some of the changes that were made on the concept is the include reshaped face, sturdy front skid plate, matte aluminum shield and redesigned front bumpers. At the rear and sides there are also special air intakers and along with the stadard LED headlights there are completely new C-Shaped LED Daytime Running Lights, which became a sort of signature mark for all Volkswagen hybrid models.

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The sides are marked by distinctive profiled off-road tires, Dark Graphite wheelarch extensions and sill protection, especially developed for this particular concept.

The rear of the vehicle is also equipped with solid underbody guard of matte aluminum and just like the front end, there are four replaceable polymer protectors. The lower area of the bumpers is protected by anthracite colored all-terrain trim and also, the vehicle has two additional solid aluminum-colored metal hooks for towing struck vehicles or for removing obstacles that block the trail.

Interior design

The design team also paid special attention to the interior and more precisely, to the interior space. The trim strips of brushed dark aluminum that wrap around the instrument panel and door trim panels match the materials that are being used for the front and read underbody guards and roof components.

At the same time, the fine Dragon Red strips in the air vents frames repeat the color of the exterior paint, as well as the two-tone Nappa leather upholstery: the seats, armrests and door inserts are covered in bright Rhodium Grey and Dark Graphite.

Drivetrain system

Tiguan GTE Active Concept is geared with a turbocharged and direct-injection TSI gasoline power unit with a total of 148hp (108kW) and 184 pound-ft of torque. And all this paired to two electric motors. The first one produces a total of 54hp (42kW) and the second one 114hp (83kW) of additional power. This engine system is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

What is also interesting about the drivetrain system is that it offers differend driving modes that can switch to front-, rear- or all-wheel drive composition.

Other useful feature is the Regenerative braking: when the driver takes the foot off the accelerator pedal or brake and the batter is insufficiently charged, both electric motors start working as generators in order to feed the generated during braking energy to the battery. Smart, huh?

Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept (2017)

Source: Volkswagen