Volkswagen has provided a glimpse of the Golf GTE, a plug-in hybrid version of its seventh-generation Golf GTI, ahead of its debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show.
The 1,520 kg (3,351 lb) GTE is driven by a 1.4 liter TSI direct injection engine, which when combined with the electric motor is capable of delivering around 200 hp and out 350 Nm (258 lb ft) of torque.
On the electric motor alone, the GTE can travel 31 miles (49.9 km) and reach a speed of 81 mph (131 km/h), which is upped to 135 mph (217 km/h) with the help of the TSI engine.
Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 7.6 seconds, trailing last year's GTI, at 6.5 seconds, by just over one second. Provisionally, Volkwagen puts the GTE's fuel efficiency at 188 mpg and CO2 emissions at 35 g/km.
Regenerative braking enables recharging on the fly and while in the garage, the vehicle's 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery takes around three and a half hours to charge from a domestic mains outlet, though this can be cut to two and a half hours using a dedicated wall-mounted charging unit.
The GTE has LED lights all-round and inside there's an 8-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation alongside DAB radio with Bluetooth capability.
The six-speed GTE will be available in five-door bodystyle only, while Volkswagen says 18-inch Serron alloy wheels will be standard in the UK version.
Pricing details are to be released in late August with deliveries expected to begin by the end of 2014. Meanwhile, stay tuned as we take a closer look at the GTE in Geneva next month.
Source: Volkswagen
