The future look of Volkswagen? The Sport Coupe Concept GTE

If you think that Volkswagen’s current cars are a little, um, forgettable, you’re certainly not alone. But if VW’s new Sport Coupe Concept GTE, which just made its debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, is any indication of where VW is going, there might well be some VWs worth remembering in the future.

With a broad, chiseled face that bears a striking resemblance to the new Aston Martin Lagonda, the Sport Coupe Concept GTE is being billed as a car that could fill the gap between the Passat and the aging Phaeton luxury sedan that VW phased out of its U.S. lineup years ago. It is also the latest automobile to push the definition of the word “coupe,” with its four-door hatchback body and four spacious seats. It is edgy and sexy, however, without looking forced. Particularly well executed are the grill slats that blend into the LED running lamps, the chamfered tailgate, and elegant wheel bugles that convey a muscular stance without looking steroidal. Think of it as an Audi A7 with a VW badge.