The progressive C Coupé GTE illustrates a new design approach for future range-topping sedans at Volkswagen. Click to enlarge.

Despite its excellent fuel efficiency, the C Coupé GTE also has sporty ambitions. This Volkswagen accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 232 km/h (144 mph). The vehicle has a total range of more than 1,100 kilometers (684 miles).

The C Coupé GTE plug-in hybrid drive system consists of a turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine (TSI) with four cylinders; an 8-speed automatic gearbox; an electric motor integrated in the gearbox module and a lithium-ion battery.

The TSI engine produces 155 kW / 210 PS / 208 hp, while the electric motor has a power output of 91 kW / 124 PS / 122 hp. The hybrid drive develops a system power of 180 kW / 245 PS / 241 hp and system torque of 500 N·m. The battery integrated at the rear can be charged while driving or while parked.

The driver can choose between the operating modes “Hybrid”, “E-Mode”, “GTE” and “Battery Charge/Battery Hold”.

• Hybrid. The concept car starts by default in Hybrid mode. The C Coupé GTE is a full hybrid, which charges its battery via regenerative braking and automatically utilises the right combination of TSI and/or electric motor according to the specific driving situation. As soon as the driver releases the accelerator pedal, and the battery is sufficiently charged, all drive sources are shut off and decoupled from the drivetrain. This is a special form of “coasting”. Zero emissions are produced in this mode. If the driver decelerates the vehicle and the battery is insufficiently charged, the electric motor operates as a generator and feeds the energy recovered from braking into the lithium-ion battery. In this case, the TSI is also shut off and decoupled.

• E-Mode. In E-Mode, which the driver activates by pressing a button, only the electric motor provides propulsive power. During electric driving, the TSI is decoupled from the drivetrain by disengaging the clutch, and it is shut off. As soon as the petrol engine needs to be used again – due to the battery’s charge state or other parameters – it is smoothly coupled to the drivetrain again within fractions of a second. The lithium-ion battery supplies the electric motor with energy. The power electronics integrated in the engine compartment manage the flow of high-voltage electricity to and from the battery and the electric motor. The vehicle’s 12-Volt electrical system is supplied with electricity via a DC/DC converter.

  GTE. The GTE button—positioned to the left of the gear lever like the E-Mode button—activates GTE mode, i.e. the particularly dynamic side of the concept car. The accelerator pedal, gearbox and steering characteristics are now even sportier. Furthermore, in GTE mode, the TSI and electric motor work together in boosting which calls up the full system power and maximum system torque.cal system is supplied with electricity via a DC/DC converter.

• Battery Charge/Battery Hold. The dual mode Battery Hold (battery’s energy content is kept constant) or “Battery Charge” (battery is charged while driving) is activated from a submenu of the infotainment system. This enables zero-emission driving in E‑Mode at the press of a button, for example in a city destination.