FAW-Volkswagen published its SUV strategy in 2018 and launched two SUV models. In 2019, it will strengthen its layout of SUV models. IIA learned from the Environmental Protection Bureau of Tianjin Economic Development Zone that the FAW-Volkswagen Tianjin plant will start production of an A-SUV with an annual production capacity of 40,000 units. The new car is expected to be the first plug-in hybrid SUV of FAW-Volkswagen. The pure electric cruising range can reach 67.6 kilometers and the comprehensive range can reach 890 kilometers.

Picture: the current TAYRON

The FAW-Volkswagen Tianjin plant started construction in July 2016 and was completed in 23 months with an annual output of 300,000 units.

The FAW-Volkswagen Tianjin plant mainly produces Volkswagen brand A-SUV and Audi brand models, including the TAYRON and the new Audi Q3.

The plant was newly built in the FAW-Volkswagen five production bases, and the T11/T22 models were planned to be put into production in this plant. In order to further develop the market, FAW-Volkswagen decided to introduce a new A-SUV plug-in hybrid model to the Tianjin plant. The project is expected to be retrofitted the original workshop to have an annual capacity of 40,000 units of A-SUV plug-in hybrids.

After the completion of the project, the total production capacity of the whole plant will remain 300,000 units annually. Among them, 200,000 units were the T11 model, including 65,000 units approved for the VW326 3CN_K model (A-SUV Coupe), and 40,000 of the newly added A-SUV plug-in hybrid model. The T22 model will be 100,000 units per year.

The A-SUV plug-in hybrid model is developed based on the new A-SUV comfort edition, and its size is similar to that of the TAYRON. Previously, FAW-Volkswagen set the TAYRON as the core strategic model, and its derivative models include the TAYRON, GTE, Coupe and other models. The A-SUV plug-in hybrid that will be put into production at the Tianjin plant is likely to be the TAYRON GTE.

In terms of power, it will be equipped with a 1.4T plug-in hybrid system with a maximum engine power of 110kW and a peak torque of 250Nm. The motor boasts a maximum power of 85kW and a peak torque of 200Nm. The battery capacity is 13kWh. The pure electric cruising range is 67.6 kilometers, while the comprehensive maximum cruising range is 890 kilometers, and the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is only 1.9 liters.

At 4,595mm in length, 1,860mm in width and 1,635mm in height, the new car also has a 2731mm wheelbase. As the car is a derivative of the TAYRON, the appearance of it is expected to change little. It will adopt the latest design of Volkswagen. The grille is a banner design with the surrounding chrome trim strips are connected with the headlights to make the vehicle visually effective. The lines on both sides of the hood are full of power and extend to the side edges of the car.