Golf plug-in hybrid due 2014 23 | 02 | 2013

VOLKSWAGEN WILL LAUNCH its new eco-friendly Golf MkVII plug-in hybrid next year, using the same technology as the Audi A3 e-tron revealed this week.

The Golf — which will achieve 188mpg, or a CO2 rating of just 35g/km — will use the same combination of a 148bhp 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine and a 100bhp electric motor. It's mated to a six-speed e-S Tronic transmission.

The combination delivers a combined 256lb/ft of torque, with a top speed of 138mph and a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.6secs.

In pure electric mode, the Golf can travel up to 31 miles and has a maximum speed of 81mph.

VW's fastest-ever production Golf Cabrio

VW Group's versatile MQB platform — which forms the basis for both the A3 and the Golf — has been engineered with a modular rear structure.

As a result, the space can accommodate a number of different drive systems including all-wheel drive, natural gas tanks and the battery packs for the hybrid version.

The Golf plug-in will run on either petrol only, electric only and with the two motors combined. VW calls the latter, "boosting".

The technology also allows the Golf to go into fuel-saving ‘coasting’ mode when both motors shut down.

Roadtest: VW Golf MkVII

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Jim McGill