Volkswagen Passat GTE revealed

Volkswagen has revealed its new plug-in hybrid Passat GTE ahead of its public debut at this week’s Paris motor show.

The plug-in hybrid Passat GTE can cover 50km on electric power alone, and comes with a combined petrol-electric range of 1,001km. This is the third such model from Volkswagen following the limited volume XL1 and the recently introduced Golf GTE. It is based on the recently-unveiled eighth-generation Passat. The new plug-in hybrid will be offered in both sedan and estate body styles in international markets when sales get underway during the second half of 2015.

At the heart of the front-wheel drive Passat GTE is a modular petrol-electric hybrid system shared with the Golf GTE. It uses a specially tuned version of Volkswagen’s widely used turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine. The transversely-mounted combustion engine is supported by an electric motor set within the forward section of the new car’s standard six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox, where it delivers 113bhp and 33.5kgm of torque. More powerful than the unit used in the Golf GTE, the disc shaped synchronous electric motor is capable of powering the Passat GTE, both, independently for a limited distance with zero emissions and in combination with the petrol engine. Together, the Passat GTE’s petrol engine and electric motor deliver a combined system output of 215bhp and 40.7kgm.

Energy for the electric motor is provided by a 9.9kWh lithium ion battery mounted under the rear seat. Some 1.2kWh larger in capacity than that used by the Golf GTE, it can be charged on the run via recuperated kinetic energy and the petrol engine, or alternatively by the plug-in method via a socket within the grille. Charging time on a standard 240 volt system is claimed to take 4 hours 15mins.

As with its smaller sibling, the driver can choose between four different driving modes: E-mode, Hybrid, Battery Charge and GTE. In the default E-mode, the Passat GTE is claimed to possess an electric range of up to 50km at speeds limited to 130kph. In the GTE mode, where the petrol engine and electric motor are combined for maximum performance, it is claimed that the Passat GTE can hit 100kph from standing start in less than eight seconds, and reach a top speed of 222kph.

The interaction between the petrol engine and electric motor can be monitored on a 6.5-inch colour screen. It includes features like a ‘range monitor’, ‘energy flow indicator’, ‘e-manager’ and, in conjunction with the optional navigation system, ‘360 degree range’, can calculate one way electric driving range over prescribed route.

The GTE is visually differentiated from other more conventional eighth-generation Passat models by blue accents within the grille, a uniquely styled front bumper with low mounted C-shaped LED day time running lamps, GTE decals on each of the front fenders and standard eight-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, there is blue ambient lighting, a leather-trimmed flat bottom steering wheel with blue stitching, unique instrument graphics, a restyled gear knob plus standard aluminium and high gloss black plastic trim applications.