Detroit Auto Show 2013: VW Shows Off A Plug-In SUV Concept

VW's Crossblue plug-in SUV concept Seth Fletcher

“If it goes into production…” So begins the second sentence of the press release for the Volkswagen Crossblue, a midsize SUV with a diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain. It would certainly be cool if the Crossblue becomes reality. Specifically designed specifically for the American market, the six-seater would get 14 miles of all-electric driving range from its 9.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery; the rest of the time if would blend power from a TDI diesel engine and two electric motors (one in front and one in the rear). In electric mode, it would get 89 mpge. In hybrid mode, fuel economy is 35 mpg. Good numbers for a family-size people mover. We’ll see if it happens.