The family of high-performance Mk7 Golf models has grown to four. Hot on the heels of the GTI, GTD and R is the new Volkswagen Golf GTE, unveiled before its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in a couple of weeks.
What’s so special about this hot Golf, you ask? Well, unlike the others the GTE is a plug-in hybrid, powered by a turbocharged, direct-injected 1.4 TSI engine producing 148 hp, mated to a 101 hp electric motor. Combined they produce 201 hp and 350 Nm, channeled through a six-speed DSG designed specifically for hybrid applications.
Armed with the hybrid powertrain (ostensibly similar to the one fitted to the A3 e-tron concept) the GTE can go from 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 217 km/h. This is despite the kerb weight ballooning by nearly 170 kg over the GTI to 1,520 kg.
This level of performance is augmented by impressive efficiency. The combined fuel consumption figure on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) is claimed to be a whopping 67 km per litre – giving the GTE a range of 933 km – all while producing just 33 g per km of carbon dioxide.
In pure electric mode (limited to 130 km/h) the GTE can travel 50 km on a single charge, which can be saved up for later use, for example while driving on a highway towards a city. Charging the 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery itself takes about three and a half hours from a domestic socket, or about an hour less through a wall-mounted charging station.
Externally, the Volkswagen Golf GTE is differentiated from the GTI through C-shaped LED daytime running lights similar to the e-Golf and blue instead of red accents on the grille, headlights and front fender badges. 18-inch “Serron” wheels are fitted as standard.
On the inside it is pretty much the same as on the GTI except for blue trim on the gearknob and doors, a blue GTE badge on the steering wheel, blue stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever gaiter and seats as well as blue highlights on the tartan seat trim instead of red. The GTE is available in a five-door bodystyle only.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
It would be great if VW brings this end and CKD it. That would make it qualify for full tax exemption which could price it much cheaper. I’m sure it will be selling like hot cakes if this is done.
I wonder how much it will cost to charge the battery here?
Possibly the first sport-hybrid that is available to the masses ,and as much as I love the CRZ, I have to admit its more of a sporty(ish)-hybrid than a sport hybris, thou the Honda is still the only manual-hybrid in the world. I do wonder how the driving dynamics of the car is like to the bread and Chili-Pepper GTI, its heavier and still maintains the same power, 0-60 also suffers.
Take ote Honda, thats how the CRZ should be…..but retain the manual.
Honda stated that the CR-Z is a sporty offering without guilt (environmentally). It barely achieved what they aimed for. While it may have decent km/L figure when driven sensibly (my personal best is 18.0km/L), floor the throttle & the figure plummets drastically, no different from any other NA 1.5 engine. Not really a a true muscle either as it struggles to go toe- to – toe against golf 1.4 TSI too! I agree that the future CR-Z should be atleast as frugal with performance figures matching this GTE.
But lets face it, CR-Z is meant to be cheap & assessible(U can see CR-Z everywhere now, with the help of yesteryears tax exemption of course)with IMA system & the technology was considered decent in 2009/2010 when the car first released, using the common IMA along with other hondas lineup back then. Im sure if the CR-Z was fitted with this advanced system now, the car will easily be priced twice as expensive & will not fit their aim for being ‘affordable’
Toyota Prius 1.8 HEV is 21km/L.
Toyota Prius C 1.5 HEV also 21km/L.
Honda CRZ 1.5 HEV = 18km/L
Honda civic 1.3 HEV = 19km/L
Honda Jazz hybrid 1.3 HEV = 19km/L
HEV, give u just about same km/L, either City driving or Highway driving.
anway Hybrid is meant for being a fuel efficient City car. this is the selling point.
PHEV, usually give FC above 40km/L.
Run on battery motor, charged by petrol engine.
HEV, assisted by battery motor, run on Petrol engine.
HEV vs PHEV:
HEV is very very reliable, Toyota and Honda most reliable car is HEV car:: Toyota Prius and Honda CRZ.
Congratz you got yourself the most reliable Honda car.
PHEV, however, it’s give the least reliability.
Either Ford, Chevrolet, Renault or Toyota Honda Mitsubishi
They are not reliable.
how about Prius PHEV? not reliable too i wonder?
Toyota Prius PHEV is the least reliable car come from Toyota.
Result from American Consumer Report 2013.
Same to the others Japanese Western Brands.
fortunately Malaysia Prius is HEV, not PHEV.
Prius HEV is the most reliable Toyota.
altough Recall is always there.
but having 1, Toyota take good care of it. Nothing u need to worry, at all.
Add Sprintex Supercharger for Honda CRZ, then you have equally powerful sport Honda + hybrid
CRZ is fugly!
Pure electric mode till 130 kmh and charging at home in just 3 1/2 hours from a house socket is quite impressive, I’ll have to say. Isn’t that a lot better than the Nissan Leaf and Renault Fluence?
Better still it uses the 6 speed wet clutch DSG which does not have the defects of the 7 speed dry clutch.
well, all GTIs use wet clutch, so no surprise. but then ask around in the forum. there are people having issues with the wet clutch also.
Very interesting. Instead of jetta hybrid which uses 7 speed, this fella uses 6 speed. Is this like the first time we see the 1.4 with a 6 speed?
The reason they are using the 6 speed DSG is because the 7-speed DSG(DQ200) can only withstand a torque limit of 250NM, while the 6-speed DSG(DQ250)’s torque limit is 350NM.
For a 1.4litre car,very impressive performance,IMO.
I like the fact that VW focus on changing minor details of the interior which consumer really love to see! (eg;blue trim,I LIKE!)
No, not really. Before the DQ200 comes along, any 1.4 TSi models were paired with the DQ250. I drive a 2008 Cross Touran 1.4 TSi with DQ250. Very good gearbox indeed
what’s a dq250? wet clutch?
hmm..this looks good..put those power train inside volkswagen CC. its goddam nice
Combined fuel consumption of 67km/litre . 0-100km/h in 7.6sec and top speed of 217km/h. Thats like the perfect car! Yes, this is the car they should bring here and CKD, please!
PHEV vs HEV.
PHEV = plug in hybrid.
HEV = hybrid
till date, (end of 2013)
all PHEV has caused every car of ANY BRAND, the least reliability of the BRAND.
from the western to japanese.
PHEV — Very fuel efficient, but it’s not recommended to buy.
U will get headache u never experienced before.
Are you a petroleum man..hahaha..
I love Fuel Efficient Car, but not lousy reliability.
hence I love HEV, but not PHEV.
I have always encouraging people to buy fuel efficient car in the past, now and future.
Especially HEV, sadly tax exemption is over.
fuel consumption is really crazy. over 900km. like a diesel. performance is decent for 7.6s (under 7s then it starts to feel fast). but well done, VW!
This is awesome. Impressive VW!
Great features, but the 1.4 TSI engine sucks big time where many user facing piston failure before 50,000km. Until , VW can improve on reliability and service, no way, we can walk into a VW showroom.
thats the 1.4 tsi (twin charge: super + turbo)…
this is single charge (turbo)..
vw dont use twin charge anymore problematic..
Wrong, for instance Passat B7 has a 1.4 with twin charger (engine code CTHD, 160PS/240Nm).
please noted that VW CC…VW Jetta still using the sucky twin charged..
but no more in golf :)
Nonsense, the 1.4 TSI is very much more reliable than most engines out there. This is after all the engine that won VW its best engine for almost 7 years.
Its good that they managed to harness so much power from a lower capacity engine, in order to optimize fuel economy and ensure power almost similar to the GTI.
67km/l and the range is 933km? SO the fuel tank must be tiny at 14 litres only?
No. But you’re absolutely right to question the 67km/l, the number is misleading.
The European test cycle is over 100km, but with fully charged battery. The GTE can run 30km of the 100km test cycle in pure electric mode.
BTW: The official number for the Prius plug-in hybrid under the same conditions is 47,62km/l.
Honda not pure hybrid. Cannot drive on electric motor alone. Just add a small motor to assist engine. Once u driven a full hybrid car, etc A6 & prius , you wont want to drive a normal petrol car again.