Volkswagen introduces plug-in hybrid Golf GTE to its range

Volkswagen has introduced a plug-in hybrid variant of the Golf, called the Golf GTE. The car will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month but Volkswagen has released preliminary details for the hybrid hot hatch.

The GTE is propelled by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TSI petrol engine delivering 110kW along with a 75kW electric motor. Together, they offer a combined output of 150kW and 349Nm of torque. That is enough to propel the 1,524kg (120kg of that from the batteries) hatch from 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds before hitting a top speed of 217km/h.

Power is drawn from a high-voltage 8.8 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery that is charged from a socket behind the Volkswagen logo in the front grille. Drive is transferred to the front wheels via a 6-speed DSG gearbox specifically developed for the hybrid. Additionally, the GTE gets an electro-mechanical brake servo and an electric air-conditioning compressor.

In electric mode, the car will travel up to 50km. When both engines are working, it has an overall range of 940km and returns an impressive 1.8L/100km with just 35g/km of CO₂ from its tailpipes.

The GTE gets a unique front bumper with LED daytime running lights while the rest of the vehicle is shared with the GTI and GTD. Inside, the standard 6.5-inch Composition Media displays additional functions usually associated with plug-in hybrid cars such as driving range monitor, an energy flow diagram along with “zero emission statistics” and an “e-manager”.

Volkswagen says the GTE’s owners can also download free apps that allow them access and control of the car’s various functions remotely.