VW Debuts Big China-Only Sedan

The C Coupe GTE concept unveiled at the Shanghai auto show will launch next year in production form as an exclusive China model, according to Car and Driver magazine.

At more than 16.5 feet in length, the coupelike vehicle is larger than any current VW car except for the Phaeton. CD says the car will ride on VW's MLB platform, which also carries the China-specific Audi A6L large sedan. The C Coupe is designed with a very roomy rear seat to suit China's interest in chauffeur-driven cars.

CD predicts the production C Coupe will be equipped with conventional piston power. But the concept car is propelled by a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 207 hp and an electric motor that produces 122 hp. Overall system output is 242 hp, enough to push the car from zero to 100 kph in 8.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 232 kph (144 mph).

The concept can travel 31 miles in electric mode and has an overall hybrid range of nearly 500 miles, according to VW. Carbon dioxide emissions on the European test cycle are 55 grams per kilometer.