First Look: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe Concept

Sporty hybrids? Indeed. The trade-off for stellar fuel economy has long been lackluster performance and a boring drive, but today's automakers are looking to change that inequity. Not to be upstaged by Honda's new CR-Z hybrid, Volkswagen has unwrapped its own sport-oriented hybrid coupe, called the NCC for short.

Volkswagen says the NCC is meant to slot between Europe's sporty Scirocco and the larger CC, a position currently held by the Jetta. At 178.5 in. long, 70.1 in. wide, 55.6 in. tall, and riding on a 104.4-in. wheelbase, the NCC is within 3 inches or less of the Jetta in every dimension. It has a stretched wheelbase, identical width, and lower roof. Is this the next-generation Jetta coupe Volkswagen enthusiasts have pined after? Perhaps.

The NCC is powered by a 1.4L turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder gasoline engine making 148 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque mated to a 27-hp electric motor and Volkswagen's seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, all driving the front wheels. Volkswagen says the combination is good for 45 mpg while emitting only 0.35 grams of CO2 per mile. While the thrust isn't exactly mind-numbing, its claimed sprint from zero to 60 mph in 8.1 sec (three-tenths quicker than a diesel-powered Jetta) on to a top speed of 141 mph.