When Volkswagen lifts the covers from the Golf GTE (plug-in hybrid) at next week’s Geneva Motor Show, this will be the fifth powertrain for the Golf (the others are petrol, diesel, electric and CNG).
Power comes from a 1.4-litre TSI engine (110kW) and a 75kW electric motor – combined output is rated at 150kW. Drive is avia a specially-developed version of Volkswagen six-speed DSG automatic transmission.
Volkswagen says the Golf GTE accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds but returns combined cycle fuel consumption of 1.8l/100kms. The all-electric range is around 50kms and range between refills is around 940kms.
Re-charging from a home outlet takes around three hours.
But, as the name suggests, the Volkswagen Golf GTE is a member of the ‘performance’ sub-section of the Golf Club (along with the GTI and GTD). This is seen in the exterior and interior styling – where you’d normally see red highlights in the Golf GTI, the GTD has blue-hued highlights.
And as part of the driver-select driving mode system, the newcomer has a GTE setting…for spirited driving of course.
No word yet from Volkswagen Australia on local plans.
