Volkswagen New Compact Coupe: Up Close
The New Beetle aside, Volkswagen doesn’t have a traditional coupe in its U.S. lineup, but the New Compact Coupe concept that debuted at the Detroit auto show hints at the direction Volkswagen would head if it built one. The design doesn’t break a lot of new ground, but its clean, unadorned exterior looks good nonetheless. Overall, it doesn’t look like it would take much for VW to turn this concept into a production car.
The coupe has familiar VW styling cues in front with a GTI-like grille, but its profile and tail have strong hints of the Audi A5 coupe. It’s not as long or as wide as the A5, but it is a little taller. Still, it’s not a bad look to imitate.
Besides the Berry White leather upholstery — seriously, that’s what VW calls it — the cabin of the New Compact Coupe is ready for prime time. The steering wheel is just like the one in the new GTI, and other components — such as the window switches, door locks and instrument panel — are all typical VW parts.
The New Compact Coupe’s hybrid drivetrain is a central element of the concept, but VW could very well launch gas-only versions of this front-wheel-drive coupe if it builds a production version; a coupe with GTI-like performance could be a hit with enthusiasts.
