Automotive

Plug-in hybrid Golf GTE revealed ahead of Geneva debut

Plug-in hybrid Golf GTE revealed ahead of Geneva debut
Provisionally, Volkwagen puts the GTE's fuel efficiency at 188 mpg
Provisionally, Volkwagen puts the GTE's fuel efficiency at 188 mpg
View 10 Images
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 over 200 hp
1/10
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 over 200 hp
On the electric motor alone, the GTE can travel 31 miles (49.9 km)
2/10
On the electric motor alone, the GTE can travel 31 miles (49.9 km)
The six-speed GTE will be available in five-door bodystyle only
3/10
The six-speed GTE will be available in five-door bodystyle only
The headlights, along with all lights on the GTE, are LEDs
4/10
The headlights, along with all lights on the GTE, are LEDs
Volkswagen says 18-inch Serron alloy wheels will be standard in the UK version
5/10
Volkswagen says 18-inch Serron alloy wheels will be standard in the UK version
Volkwagen Golf GTE
6/10
Volkwagen Golf GTE
Provisionally, Volkwagen puts the GTE's fuel efficiency at 188 mpg
7/10
Provisionally, Volkwagen puts the GTE's fuel efficiency at 188 mpg
Provisionally, Volkwagen puts the GTE's fuel efficiency at 188 mpg
8/10
Provisionally, Volkwagen puts the GTE's fuel efficiency at 188 mpg
An 8-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation is featured inside, alongside DAB radio and Bluetooth capability
9/10
An 8-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation is featured inside, alongside DAB radio and Bluetooth capability
An 8-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation is featured inside, alongside DAB radio and Bluetooth capability
10/10
An 8-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation is featured inside, alongside DAB radio and Bluetooth capability
View gallery - 10 images

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.

An 8-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation is featured inside, alongside DAB radio and Bluetooth capability
An 8-inch Discover Pro satellite navigation is featured inside, alongside DAB radio and Bluetooth capability

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

View gallery - 10 images
3 comments
3 comments
Buellrider
188 mpg. Is that a typo? If not I'll be trading in one of my Prius cars on that baby so long as the price is not other-worldly. Years ago I owned a Golf that I bought in 2004 and it got great gas mileage. One time it got 47 mpg with a rear wind assist.
freedomsailor
At half the projected mpg I'll buy one. It could be my very last car!
yosuperyo
Man...at 188 mpg I'll sell all my cars including Golf TDI in exchange for this car. Just don't jack up the price to $40,000.