Accordingly to Autocar.co.uk, Volkswagen will enter the sporty SUV market within three years with a model heavily inspired by the Cross Coupe concept (pictured above) recently introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show, most probably in 2014. The new model will take on the likes of Range Rover Evoque and BMW X6 in a segment that is continuously growing in numbers.

As VW R&D boss Ulrich Hackenberg puts it: “We think the SUV segment will grow, and the number of SUV variants will grow. Customers are showing that they like SUVs with a sporty, muscular image, and especially because of the high seating position.” However, he admitted that the radical interior of the Concept put on display in Tokyo will probably not make it to the final production version of the model.

The Cross Coupe prototype is a four-seat SUV powered by a supercharged TSI engine with direct injection and two electric units, and was developed on the same platform that will generate the next Audi A3 and VW Golf 7th generation. Mr.Hackenberg said that the hybrid four-wheel drive powertrain of the Concept might eventually be made available for the production models, even though that might happen some time after the official launch, adding that several variants of the car - including a more sporty three-door version - are currently in the works.

View the full Volkswagen Cross Coupé Concept photo gallery

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