Offered both in sedan and wagon versions, the VW Passat GTE can be driven up to 50 km (31 miles) in the all-electric “E-Mode.” The first Passat with a plug-in hybrid drive system is powered by a turbocharged direct injection petrol engine (TSI) combined with an electric motor which sources energy from a chargeable lithium-ion battery.
The petrol engine is a 1.4-liter TSI which produces 156PS (154hp), while the electric motor produces 85 kw (115PS or 113hp). Combined system output is 218PS (215hp), with the maximum torque reaching 400Nm (295lb-ft). The VW Passat GTE averages under 2 l/100 km (117.6 mpg US) and 13 kWh/100 km, equating to CO2 emissions fewer than 45 g/km.
As a result, total driving range exceeds 1,000 km (621 miles) with a full 50-liter fuel tank and fully charged battery. To put that into context, VW says the new Passat GTE covers the route from Paris to London and back to the French capital without a single refueling stop.
Equipped with a 6-speed DSG transmission especially developed for this model, the front-wheel drive Passat GTE sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph. In all-electric mode, top speed is limited to 130 km/h (81 mph).
Styling-wise, the Passat GTE stands out from regular models thanks to details such as the specific chrome radiator grille unit with additional blue line, redesigned front bumper, striking cross panels in the lower air inlet and the C-shaped LED daytime running lights. Additional styling tweaks are the exclusive 17-inch “Astana” alloy wheels and the blue-painted brake calipers.
Inside, the VW Passat GTE features a specific menu for the functions and displays on the “Composition Media” infotainment system and the instrument cluster. Other specific details are the blue ambient lighting, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with blue decorative stitching, GTE-specific gear knob with blue stitching and seats covered in “Sevilla” cloth with a blue basic structure.
VW will launch the Passat GTE in the second half of 2015.