Volkswagen’s T-Prime Concept GTE Heralds Next Flagship SUV

There’s no denying that as much as Volkswagen brands their T-Prime GTE as a concept, the potential for it being the template unto which the next-generation Touareg will be based is huge.

Since it’s introduction in 2011, the second-generation Touareg – Volkswagen’s flagship SUV - has since been somewhat forgotten in the Volkswagen range, with the newest and most advanced technological and aesthetic additions instead finding their way to Volkswagen’s other models.

Volkswagen has made no association with between the T-Prime and what is to be the next Touareg, but the naming itself does call to question how sneaky Volkswagen thinks they’re being. Is it a mangled word crafted from cuts of beef, or is it Touareg Prime?

In either case, the T-Prime has a four-seat layout with each passenger given their own – a clear nod to the Chinese market preferences. While it’s possible that that next Touareg could be offered with such luxurious seating, a traditional seven-seating arrangement would be available everywhere else.

Another notable interior detail are the integration of a curved instrument cluster and centre console. This could be another conceptual flourish but Volkswagen could be looking to unveil an Audi virtual cockpit-like interface.

The driver’s dashboard screen is clearly the highlight here, but the centre console’s infotainment display also looks much larger and feature-dense than what Volkswagen currently offers at any price and would be a very welcome step forward.

Being branded as a GTE vehicle, the T-Prime concept is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid consisting of 2.0-litre TSI combustion engine generating 185kW and 370Nm of torque which is augmented by an electric motor with 100kW and 350Nm of torque.

In total, the combined output would be 280kW of power and an astounding 700Nm of torque on tap, enough to accelerate the T-Prime on to 100km/h from rest in 6.0 seconds flat. Power reaches the wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission (in which the electric motor is integrated) and VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

Supplying the motor with charge is a 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery that’s capable on powering the SUV in all-electric drive mode for up to 50km, and when paired to the gasoline engine under normal driving conditions is claimed to consume only 2.7-litres/100km on a combined cycle.