Tokyo show: Volkswagen Cross Coupe concept

Volkswagen could take on the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q3 with its Cross Coupe, revealed in concept form at the Tokyo motor show. The show car features a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 148bhp 1.4-litre 1TSI petrol engine with two electric motors, one at the front axle and one rear, developing 54bhp and 114bhp respectively. When used in combination, there’s a total output of 261bhp on offer, which allows the car to accelerate 0-62mph in a respectable 7.0sec and reach a top speed of 125mph. Despite the Cross Coupe’s decent performance, it emits 62g/km of CO2 and boasts a claimed 105mpg figure. A production model would likely possess VW’s array of more conventional TSI and TDI engines mated to manual and DSG gearboxes. Inside, the four-seat cabin – unlike the powertrain – has been kept relatively simple and includes leather seats, black trim and aluminium accents. Because of the car’s dramatically sloping roofline, the boot has a capacity of 379 litres, but this can be increased to 1229 litres with the rear seats folded down. Size-wise, it sits between the Golf hatchback and Tiguan SUV, and its polished, production-ready styling hints at a rival to Range Rover’s hugely popular Evoque. VW says the Cross Coupe has a broader role than that, though, previewing the look of VW’s future SUV range, the next Tiguan being the next model due, in 2014.

VW's other Tokyo star, the Passat Alltrack SUV

All the 2011 Tokyo motor show news is here