Part hot hatch, part eco car: 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTE
Auto Tech
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This is the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTE.
And no, I I didn't misspeak, Its GTE not GTI.
This is the plugin hybrid version of the hot hatchback, and its what happens when you take all of that turbocharged performance and excellent handling and combine it with a little electric knowhow gathered from Volkswagen's eGolf program.
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Now, I have a plug-in hybrid.
We've got a combination of engines under the hood.
First is a 1.4 liter turbo charged engined that's smaller than a two liter you'll find in the GPI.
And it's made it within electric engine and together, they put the power to the front wheels Through a six speed, dual clutch transmission.
Total system power is 200 horsepower and 253 pound feet of torque which coincidentally are the exact same numbers that you'll find in the conventional GTI.
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The different here is how that torque is delivered.
With the standard GTI, sort of builds to this power in a linear fashion.
The GTE kinda has the advantage of having the immediate electric torque on tap at all times.
Now why bother with a plug-in, hybrid version of the GTI if your numbers are gonna be about the same?
Well, the big difference comes when you're talking about efficiency tendency, Because it's got a battery and a place to plug in, the GTE can do about 31 miles under a full electric charge, before its' gasoline engine has to jump in to help.
Volkswagen says that the GTE is good for a combined about 150 To 166 miles of driving, if you plug in regularly and have short commutes or short trips between charges.
Now, unfortunately they did not supply us with an American plug for this European model, and its charging port is not the same standard as our J1772 plug that we have at most charging stations here in California.
So, I haven't actually been able to plug this thing in to test its sort of full electrified performance.
Consequently, I've just been driving it as a hybrid, which is still pretty fun.
But that means that I've only been getting about 33 to 42 miles per gallon per trip.
And with the gasoline and electric engines working in concert, this vehicle feels every bit as awesome As the GTI.
With the GTE, Volkswagen has added a lot of city car practicality and efficiency to one of the best hot hatchbacks on the market without compromising very much of its performance.
So the GTE is as fun as the GTI and it's more efficient.
But what about price?
Well, we don't have US pricing because this is a European model, but let's go with that.
In Europe, the GTE is about 5% price premium over the GTI, so that's 36,000 euro instead of 30.
So we can expect a similar price to that if it comes to America.
Now, Volkswagen currently has no official plans to bring the GTE to the United States yet Here we are in California and there is the GTE.
So, we can at least hope.
Personally I think that a plugin hybrid of the GTI is gonna sell like hotcakes when it gets here.
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