NAIAS 2016: Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active is a Plug-In Apology
Volkswagen unveiled a new plug-in hybrid concept for the Tiguan, featuring more aggressive styling than the standard model launched in Frankfurt. Interestingly, Volkswagen has positioned the gas-electric CUV as a more fun-to-drive truck than the standard vehicle.
In other words, it’s a Tiguan Trailhawk.
The GTE Active offers two driver-selectable modes: E-mode, which is an all-electric, rear-drive mode good for up to 20 miles of zero emissions driving; and GTE mode, which pairs the gasoline engine, DSG transmission, and both electric motors for 221 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a 6.4 second sprint to 60 mph.
As the new Tiguan is based on the MQB modular architecture, it’s not a significant stretch to assume this hybrid system could be transferred to the Golf, Jetta, and Passat if it proves successful.
Some enthusiasts say they were born with gasoline in their veins. Chris Tonn, on the other hand, had rust flakes in his eyes nearly since birth. Living in salty Ohio and being hopelessly addicted to vintage British and Japanese steel will do that to you. His work has appeared in eBay Motors, Hagerty, The Truth About Cars, Reader's Digest, AutoGuide, Family Handyman, and Jalopnik. He is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, and he's currently looking for the safety glasses he just set down somewhere.
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I'll take one...strip the BFGoodies off, and sent it back. That sure is ballsy for VW to put on all that extra plastic cladding that's only going to crack, break, and fall off in a year.
FWIW, there is more chatter in the thread about that decrepit Dodge Shadow, which means VW could give out a free old fashioned to every male in America and no one would care.