Volkswagen announces eco-busting plug-in hybrid Passat
2014-11-13 19:50:05
Volkswagen has announced that it will launch a plug-in hybrid version of its Passat family car during the second half of next year. The Passat GTE as it will be called will be the 5th plug-in model that will be made available and will be capable of travelling up to 31 miles on electric-only power at speeds of up to 80mph.
The Passat GTE will be available in both 4-door saloon and estate formats.
Under the bonnet will be a 154bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged TSI petrol engine mated to a 114bhp electric motor to give a combined power output of 216bhp. The German car manufacturing giant promises that the Passat GTE will be able to average in excess of 141mpg in official tests whilst emitting less than 45g/km of CO2 thanks to its lithium-ion battery. However, as with all plug-in hybrids, the real-world economy could be markedly different from the official figures, dependent on how and where the car is driven and how frequently it is plugged in. Officially, it will have a combined range of 620 miles.
VW say that from the mains, a full charge will take four-and-a-quarter hours. However, the company will offer a fast-charging wall box at extra cost which will cut this time down to just two-and-a-half hours.
The Passat GTE’s 6-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox houses the disc-shaped synchronous electric motor which drives power to the front wheels. The 0-62mph dash can be accomplished in less than 8 seconds, according to Volkswagen, and the top speed in 136mph.
The Passat GTE can be clearly distinguished from other conventionally-powered models in the range by a raft of trim changes.
Inside, there are various displays which are able to offer the driver a wealth of information ranging from what mode the car is currently travelling in through to how efficiently it is being driven and where the nearest charging point is located relative to the location of the car.
Passat GTE owners will be able to utilise their smart mobile phones to check the level of battery charge, start the charging process or control their car’s climate control functions via a dedicated app.
The Passat GTE comes equipped with LED headlights and as befits a Passat, comes loaded with a host of standard-fit safety features.
Of course, with the announcement being made so far ahead of the on-sale date, Volkswagen have not released pricing details for the latest addition to the Passat range.
The entry-level model to the revised eighth-generation Passat starts at £22,215. That will get you a 1.6 118bhp TDi S saloon. The fleet-favourite 1.6-litre SE Business diesel model costs from £24,010. The refreshed all-diesel Passat will be a major adversary to the forthcoming Ford Mondeo once deliveries of the Passat start in January. Other engines include a turbocharged 2.0-litre with either 148bhp or 187bhp and a range-topping 237bhp twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre which comes with a DSG ‘box as standard. The dual-clutch auto is available as on option on the other power units.
Trim levels start at S and runs through to R-Line. Estate models carry a £1,530 premium over the saloon across the board.
This is an abridged article especially prepared by First4Auto on behalf of EcoCars4Sale.
Reported By
Andrew Merritt-Morling
Chief Editor
