THE Volkswagen Cross Coupe concept is not a coupe. Coupes traditionally have two doors; the Cross Coupe has four. Coupes eschew back-seat space for front passengers and a sense of fun; the Cross Coupe not only has back seats but the body shape and hauling capacity of a sport utility vehicle. But aside from its crimes against language, the Cross Coupe does Volkswagen proud.

Sized slightly larger than the current VW Golf and smaller than the Tiguan, the Cross Coupe evokes the design of future VW sport utilities, a look that’s streets ahead of the plain visage visited upon the new Passat and Jetta.

Underneath the skin lies one of the more complicated power sources VW has shown — a 148-hp diesel engine and 54-hp electric motor powering the front wheels, and a 114-hp electric motor on the rear axle for all-wheel-drive. The electric motors can either be powered from the engine or a 9.8 kWH battery pack.

All told, VW says the system could deliver 87 mpg, go 25 miles on electricity alone and still speed to 60 mph in under seven seconds.

Now if only VW could afford a proper dictionary.