Autodesk VRED Professional 2014

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.

Golf GTE_02

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.

Golf GTE_09

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.