Volkswagen New Midsize Coupe debuts at China motor show

The Volkswagen NMC (New Midsize Coupe) concept makes official the German carmaker's plans for a style-led sedan to challenge the likes of the strong selling Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Unveiled at the Beijing motor show, the new four-door closely previews a future Jetta-based model that will slot into the Volkswagen lineup beneath the existing Passat CC, most likely in 2016.

Volkswagen design boss Klaus Bischoff describes the NMC as “avant-garde protagonist for a new compact sedan class.” Looking all but ready for production, it continues the current Volkswagen design lineage, with crisp features and lines, heavily horizontal detailing, and taut surfacing -- all aimed at providing it with a technical-inspired appearance.

A simple grille and LED headlamps span the width of front end, giving the new car clear family ties to other recent new Volkswagen models. In a bid to provide it with an added sense of sportiness, Volkswagen designers have taken inspiration from the Volkswagen CC in providing the NMC with a heavily curved roofline, frameless doors, and notchback-style rear.

At 181.0 inches in length, 72.4 inches in width and 56.0 inches in height, the NMC is 1.9 inches shorter, 2.3 inches wider and a similar 2.3 inches lower than the existing Jetta, with which the production version is expected to share its 104.3-inch wheelbase.

By comparison, the Mercedes-Benz CLA measures 182.3 inches in length, 70.0 inches in width and 56.4 inches in height, while riding on a 106.3-inch wheelbase.

To enhance the look of the Beijing concept, Volkswagen's design team has provided it with towering 20-inch wheels wrapped in 245/40 profile rubber.

Volkswagen claims the NMC boasts similar levels of interior accommodation to the existing Jetta, with room for five adults. A claimed 17.7 cubic feet of trunk space is just 0.4 cubic feet less than that offered by its more conventional four door sibling.

In an indication that the production version of the NMC will offer more than adequate performance, the concept in Beijing sports the same 217-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter direct injection four-cylinder gas engine as the seventh-generation Golf GTI.

The transversely mounted unit places its power to the road via a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, providing the front-wheel drive sedan with a theoretical 0-62 mph time of of 6.5 seconds, a 152 mph top speed, and a combined cycle consumption of 36.7 mpg (U.S.).

The production version of the NMC is set to be built both at Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico, and a joint venture factory in China. Underpinning the sedan will be Volkswagen's versatile MQB platform structure.

By Greg Kable