VW New Compact Coupe: Poor Man's Audi A5 Coupe Hints at Production Model Based on New Jetta

What you're looking at here is the Volkswagen New Compac Coupe (NCC) concept that we first told you about this past weekend. Based on the next generation Jetta sedan (forget about the Polo nonsense that has been making the rounds on the internet...), the NCC made its world premiere today at the Detroit motor show and it previews a production version that will expand VW's portfolio in North America and other parts of the world.

The German firm positions the NCC concept, which comes with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, between the not-for-North America Scirocco Coupe and the CC hardtop convertible.

Although it features the same length ( 4.54 meters or 178.5 inches) and width (1.78 meters or 70.1 inches) as the current Jetta, the NCC is two inches lower at 1.41 meters or 55.6 inches and has a three-inch longer wheelbase at 2.65 meters or 104.4 inches.

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VW Jetta Coupe Concept to Debut at Detroit Auto Show, Previews Sedan and Coupe Production Models

Those of you that are disgruntled with VW's decision to not bring the sexy Scirocco Coupe over to the States might find some comfort in the German firm's plans to stage the world debut of an all-new sporty coupe at next week's 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Called New Compact Coupe or NCC for short, the show car will give American consumers their first taste of an upcoming two-door coupe model that's based on the next generation Jetta four-door sedan and is destined primarily for the U.S. market.

Our sources tell us that the NCC concept is in fact an almost production-ready version of the Jetta Coupe though we're not sure if the German firm will actually use this name when the car is launched onto the market within the next year or so.

Similar in size with the current Jetta sedan, the two-door concept model will also showcase a new hybrid powertrain comprising of a small displacement four-cylinder TSI petrol unit and an electric motor that may find its way into the Jetta and the Golf in the very near future.

PS: Even though many car websites and blogs are claiming / assuming that the above drawing is / may be official, fact is, it's a julino billym sketch...

Volkswagen's Up! Lite Diesel-Electric Hybrid: Real-Life Photos from LA Show Plus Animated Film

The star attraction at Volkswagen's LA Show booth is the Up! Lite Concept, a three-door, four-seater version of the German firm's future small car. Tipping the scales at just 695 kg or 1,532 lbs, the concept model is powered by a hybrid powertrain comprising of a 51HP 0.8-liter turbo diesel engine and a 13HP electric motor.

The three-door study, which is the fifth concept model in the Up! series, has a top speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) and accelerates to 100 km/h in 12.5 seconds (0-60 mph in 12 seconds).

Volkswagen has us a bit confused with the Up! Lite's fuel economy as the company announces two different figures: a combined fuel consumption of 2.44 lt / 100km (equal to 96.6mpg US) in the European cycle, and 70mpg on the highway for those of us that live on this side of the Atlantic.

Either way, the Up! Lite is -in theory always- extremely fuel efficient

The Germans claim there's a good possibility that the Lite may enter production within the next three or four years as it makes use of many components from the firm' New Small Family of cars that are expected in the market by the end of 2011.

LA Show: New VW Up! Lite Concept Claimed to be the World's Most Fuel Efficient Four-Seater at 96mpg, May Base Production Model

This here is Volkswagen's fifth conceptual take on the Up! city cars and it made its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show today. The Up! Lite is a diesel-electric hybrid concept that is based on the German firm's forthcoming family of small family cars. Volkswagen claims that the Up! Lite is the most fuel efficient four-seater in the world as it consumes a mere 2.44 liters of diesel per 100 km, which is the U.S. equivalent of 96.4mpg [corrected].

The three-door hatchback's hybrid drivetrain consists of a 51HP 0.8-liter three-cylinder turbo diesel engine, a 13HP / 10kW electric motor and a 7-speed dual clutch DSG transmission. Furthermore, the Volkswagen is also equipped with a Stop-Start system.

Volkswagen says that when necessary, during a quick passing maneuver for example, the TDI diesel engine and electric combine for a total power output of 65HP / 48 kW.

The company announces that the concept has a top speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) and accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 12.5 seconds (0-60 mph in 12 seconds).

At 3.84 meter long, 1.40 meter tall and 1.60 meter wide, the Up! Lite is slightly smaller than a Polo, however, it weighs in at only 695 kilogram or 1,532 lbs thanks to the extended use of aluminum and carbon fiber parts.

The three-door hatchback's styling is clear and is characterized by the broad shoulder section which VW says is reminiscent of the Scirocco (more like the Volvo C30 if you ask us) and the concave profile surfaces which in turn remind us of the BMW 1-Series (since we're reminiscing...).

On the other hand, the design of the concept model's cabin is far more futuristic and unique.

Volkswagen said that both technically and visually, the Up! Lite is a preview of the future and that since many of the components of the concept model are based on those of the future New Small Family, which is scheduled for market launch at the end of 2011, it could form the base for a future production model.

*On a side note, we would like to highlight the fact that, unlike most automakers such as Ford (especially, and at least when it doesn't concern dubious promotion methods...), GM, BMW, Nissan, Jaguar etc, that provide certain outlets (blogs, magazines, news sites) with press material well before the official presentation giving them an unfair time advantage over the rest of us, VW uploaded the full press kit on the Up! Lite on its official site ahead of time, simply noting that there was an embargo until 7pm CET. Hopefully more automakers will follow this example in the future.