Is Volkswagen's long-coming Honda Pilot rival.
Volkswagen unveiled the VW CrossBlue concept at the 2013 North American International Auto in Detroit. Three years hence, the company is working on its production version, as seen in these new spyshots published by auto.sohu.com. The engineering mule has been disguised to look like a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and thus, the exterior still remains a mystery.
In January 2014, it was reported that Volkswagen will introduce a new three-row mid-size SUV based on the VW CrossBlue concept in 2016. In March 2015, the company announced that it will produce a three-row version of the (second-gen) Tiguan in Mexico. However, both models are different. Reports suggest that the VW CrossBlue will be positioned above the VW Tiguan XL, as a proper rival to the Honda Pilot.
Also See: VW Beetle Dune – Auto China 2016
Along with North America, China will also get the VW CrossBlue's production version, local media reports say. It will be manufactured there by the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint venture starting in 2017. The U.S.-spec model could be offered with the 3.6-litre V6 engine from the Passat and a 2.0-litre turbocharged gasoline engine. Given the popularity of electrified variants in the U.S. and China, it wouldn't be a surprise if Volkswagen offered a gasoline-electric hybrid variant as well.
[Image Source: auto.sohu.com]
