VW wanted to show how a Tiguan GTE can be better in off-roading and the result is the Active concept.

The VW Tiguan GTE Active concept is the polar opposite of the ‘normal’ GTE, focusing instead on things like an increased ground clearance, a set of fat off-road tires, additional body cladding, roof lights and underbody protection.

Normally you would find a diesel powerplant under all this off-road attitude but since this is VW we are talking about, the GTE Active uses a plug-in hybrid setup which consists of a turbocharged 148hp 1.4-litre petrol engine and two electric motors mounted front and rear, with 54 and 114hp respectively. The gearbox is a six-speed dual-clutch unit.

The total output of the system reaches a combined 221hp, with the driver having the option of engaging the 4Motion AWD system manually via the Active Control switch in the cabin.

VW is known to be developing a stretched Tiguan exclusively for the US market and is expected to offer room for seven occupants.

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