Progressive, intuitive. The Cross Coupé GTE opens a window that offers a look at the immediate design future of the Volkswagen brand. This does not only apply to the exterior – the interior of the concept car also shows how the Volkswagen designers envisage a mid-size SUV of tomorrow. This look ahead to coming years does not reveal a break with the present but rather the consistent further development of two key features of Volkswagen interiors. The first feature is the clear, horizontal orientation of the interior architecture, especially the control panel. The second characteristic feature of every Volkswagen interior is the self-explanatory, intuitive operation and perception of all elements and systems. And Volkswagen will retain this in the age of interactive information and control systems. For example, the Cross Coupé GTE: the final switch from the analog to the fully electronic era of interior systems is taking place here on exactly this basis. With noticeably positive results: the consistent horizontal structure of the instrument panel creates a pleasant, clearly arranged, spacious and yet also cool and progressive atmosphere. The glossy black applications with the seamlessly integrated displays and chrome elements create an impression as though the elegant and precise details of modern touchscreen modules and the clear architecture of a design language influenced by the German Bauhaus movement have merged to create a new interior world.
Clearly structured instrument panel. In the area of the windshield, the concept car features a horizontal surface with a blue nappa leather border. The dark blue of the nappa leather ("Ink Blue") matches the exterior paintwork of the Cross Coupé GTE in the color "Grand Pacific Glacier". At the sides, there is a smooth transition of the leather surface to the door panels covered with the same material. Like a wing, the actual information and control level extends across the whole width of the Cross Coupé GTE. The dominant colors and materials in this area are polished aluminum and high-gloss Plexiglas with a black underlay (color "Piano Black") and a scratch-resistant coating. On the outside, there are two horizontally positioned air vents made of polished aluminum. The 10.1-inch touchscreen of the infotainment system, which is integrated in the middle of the control panel, is framed by two sets of three vertically arranged air vents on the left and right-hand sides. The elements and materials are connected with exceptional precision and perfection in every detail.
The touchscreen of the infotainment system right at the top of the instrument panel has also been seamlessly incorporated. The whole area boasts a completely new architecture so that infotainment and instrument panel appear to be a single unit. All functions are controlled via the touchscreen. This high-end digital world in front of the driver is perfected by an Active Info Display, with displays that can be individually set by the driver. The infotainment touchscreen and the Active Info Display in detail:
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Infotainment touchscreen / control. The driver and front passenger can manage all infotainment functions and the basic vehicle configuration via the 10.1-inch touchscreen with approach sensors and – as a first – gesture control. The approach sensors are a familiar feature. By contrast, gesture control is a completely new feature. It is sufficient to swipe over a playlist with songs from some distance away to browse the list and play a different song.
- Infotainment touchscreen / graphics. The layout of the graphics changes depending on the driving profile –"Snow," "Sport," "Onroad" and "Offroad". Furthermore, navigation data can be displayed in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. In the 3-D view the user can configure the display individually at three or even more levels that float above one another in a virtual space. They all show the map with the position of the vehicle but with different information. An example of such a configuration: on the top level the driver has configured the "Points-of-Interest" (POI), the middle level has geographic information such as the current altitude while the bottom "Car" level has the route and the position of the Cross Coupé GTE. The levels can be freely moved from the top to the bottom, but individual settings are always made on the top level. As outlined, the 3-D-configured map can also be displayed in 2-D. The system retrieves content information from the Internet, via satellite or from data media (navigation software, individually entered by the user). Furthermore, data such as the weather is also shown on the display. Here, too, the driver and front passenger can select the levels and information with gesture control. Needless to say, the screen can also be operated by directly tapping or swiping it.
- Active Info Display. The digital instrument has a classic tube shape. All instruments are realized purely virtually with software. Only the symbol lamps in the top part of the display are still designed as hardware. Here, too, the navigation information can be shown in 2-D and 3-D form. The display is 12.3 inches in size; the resolution of 1,440 x 540 pixels allows extremely precise high-quality interactive graphic presentation of all details. Individual interactions/graphics are allocated to different basic functions. The graphics change, for example depending on the drive mode selected (e.g. "E-Mode" or "GTE"). What's more, information such as driving, navigation and assistance functions can be integrated in the graphic areas as required. The driver can also transfer data shown on the touchscreen (e.g. telephone contact pictures or CD covers) to the Active Info Display.
Climate control via touchscreen. A horizontal strip made of brushed aluminum, which runs across the whole width of the interior, and additional elements with a horizontal arrangement and ambient lighting upgrade the area below the infotainment system and the Active Info Display. As with the infotainment system, a touchscreen is used for the climate control, including climatized seats. On the left-hand side of the level surfaces of the center console that are ergonomically tailored to the driver is the selector lever for the 6‑speed DSG with a switching logic controlled by wire: like a joystick, it is always in a central position. A quick click activates the "R," "N" and "D" modes. A separate button, integrated in the selector lever, is used to switch to "P" position. The driving profile selector for the four driving profiles "Onroad,", "Offroad," "Sport" and "Snow" has also been consistently positioned for easy access by the driver on the left-hand side (behind the DSG shift lever). The high-tech design of the driving profile selector with "light pipe" elements (transparent, perfused with LED light) and an HD display is fully in keeping with the progressive overall look of the interior. In the middle (between the DSG selector lever, driving profile selector and cup holder area) are the black hard keys for "ESC," "E-Mode" and "GTE-Mode" and (separately with an aluminum design) "start/stop engine". Two cup holders are positioned to the right of the DSG selector lever where they are easily accessible. When not in use, they are covered by a flap in "Piano Black".
Panoramic glass sunroof. There is a further console above the center console in the roof area: touch buttons here control the panoramic glass sunroof, a corresponding sunblind and the interior light functions.
Five seats and level cargo floor. The seat system features elegant bi-color nappa leather (also semi-aniline). A dark "Ink Blue" creates a bucket effect and thus emphasizes the striking shape of the seats. The sports seats with comfortable contours offer excellent support and outstanding comfort on long journeys. The seat center panels feature perforated leather; the pattern creates a visual link to the aluminum covers of the high-end door loudspeakers. The rear seat bench (three seats) can be folded in the ratio 1/3 to 2/3; this results in a continuous cargo floor. As in the front, the interior temperature can also be controlled via a touchscreen in the center console at the rear.
Rear seat entertainment. Attachments for tablets are incorporated in the headrests of the rear seats. The Volkswagen "Media Control" app enables the tablets to access various functions of the infotainment system via Wi-Fi. The functions that can be controlled include the radio, all media sources and navigation.