Volkswagen has pulled the covers off its electric T-Prime Concept GTE at the Beijing Auto Show.
The T-Prime Concept GTE is described as a ‘cutting-edge premium class SUV’ and ‘a plug-in hybrid all-rounder’. Giving a first glimpse of Volkswagen’s future flagship, VW confirmed its plans to launch seven new electric and plug-in hybrid models in to the Chinese market over the next three to four years, with each of these vehicles to be made in China. In addition to this, a new design and development centre in China is also planned.
The flagship concept SUV features all-wheel drive with zero emissions. The display and control concept are completely digital, the conventional switches in the interior have been done away with and replaced by gesture and voice control, touchscreens and touch-sensitive surfaces. VW says the T-Prime is the world’s first car to feature a Curved Interaction Area – a shapely infotainment display that blends in with the remaining displays and controls in the futuristic cockpit. The concept car’s eight-speed automatic transmission is controlled intuitively ‘by wire’ using a glass scroll wheel.
Practically silent in electric E-Mode, the concept SUV has a range of up to 31 miles. In GTE mode the 280 kW/381 PS concept car ‘demonstrates pure dynamism’ according to VW.
The Beijing Auto Show runs until May 4.