VW's 188mpg Golf GTE hybrid 03 | 09 | 2014

    VOLKSWAGEN HAS RELEASED first details of its new 188mpg Golf GTE plug-in hybrid, and we're in Zurich driving the car today. On sale from Scottish VW dealers in November, with prices expected to start at around £28,000 —after the £5000 Government grant — first deliveries are expected in March.

    Designed to sit alongside the petrol GTI and diesel GTD, the 'electric' GTE combines a 1.4-litre 150bhp direct injection petrol engine and 102bhp electric motor

    With a combined maximum power of 204bhp, due to the different torque curves of both engines, the GTE has a combined 'theoretical' range of 580 miles.

    And unlike rivals such as Toyota, VW has steered away from smothering the exterior of the GTE with 'hybrid' badges: there isn't one on the GTE.

    Instead, VW has taken the brave, bold and sensible route of creating a car in the mould of the iconic GTI: the GTE is, in many ways, the GTI for the environmentally conscious.

    Consider this: it'll cover the 0-62mph sprint in 7.6sec and carry on to a max of 138mph in GTE mode. Yet it just 35g/km CO2, which means it's exempt from both congestion and road taxes.

    Related: VW reveals new Touareg details

    Possibly even more impressive is, in E-mode, the Golf GTE hits 81mph before a limiter caps your speed.

    And ok, let's deal with the big question which always dominates any car which boasts electric power: range.

    In pure electric form, the Golf GTE has a claimed electric range of 31 miles.

    Charging too isn't a problem: on a regular 240 volt, 10 amp household system the GTE takes four hours to recharge the 8.7kWh lithium-ion battery, dropping to just under two hours a more robust 240 volt, 16 amp set-up.

    Cleverly, the socket for the plug is neatly hidden beneath the Volkswagen emblem in the grille. And once out on the road, the petrol engine and kinetic energy is used to top up the battery on the run.

    The driver is provided with the choice of five modes: E-mode, GTE mode, battery hold, battery charge and hybrid.

    Available only as a five-door hatch, and in one high spec — including stonking 18in 'Marseille' alloys — in the UK, the GTE combines elements of the e-Golf and Golf GTI, with C-shaped LED daytime running lights (e-Golf), and aerodynamic horizontal 'fins' (GTI).

    And where the GTI features red, the GTE — cleverly — features blue accents, including across the radiator grille and into the headlights. There's also blue stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever gaiter and seats, and a blue stripe in the tartan pattern on the sports seats.

    It's a bit of a cracker, and you'll be able to read the full exclusive roadtest in Scotcars soon.

    Related: VW confirms 395bhp Golf R 400

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    Jim McGill

     

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