Volkswagen Passat Receives Plug-in Hybrid GTE Treatment

KUALA LUMPUR: Hybrid cars are on a hype these days among the automobile-makers, with cars like VW Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron, Audi Q7 e-tron, BMW 740e to name a few from a long list to which new additions are made every fortnight. The recent addition coming from Volkswagen, which will be its second hybrid car, first one being the Golf GTE as mentioned above.

Now it is the VW Passat, which is all-set to receive the GTE treatment from its makers. This all-new Passat, which will run on a combination of both petrol and electricity, proving itself to be an efficient plug-in hybrid model. The new GTE will feature the specially turned Volkswagen’s turbocharged 1.4-litre TSI four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 156 PS, but the power further increases by 115 PS when the engine is matted with the electric motor. Thus, producing maximum power of 281 PS with 400 Nm of torque.

Apart from being introduced as an hybrid version, it will also feature new front fascia like a new chrome finished grille with GTE embossed in the corner. Along with it, the blue-front lining above the grille which runs up to the U-shaped headlights gives a cue towards it being a hybrid car. On to the side it showcases multi-spoked alloy wheels, that further intensifies its looks. Safety and comfort are also taken care with a Drive Alert System, Automatic Post-Collision Braking, the Front Assist ambient traffic monitoring system including City Emergency Braking function, a rain sensor, ParkPilot for front and rear.

One of the major attributes of this new hybrid Passat is that the electric motor in combination with the 12.2 kWh battery, can help it run for up to 50 kilometer, alone on electricity. Pulse now its fuel consumption and CO2 emission will fall to as low as 1.6/100 km and 37g/km respectively.

The only downfall is its price, its starting price is expected to be somewhere around €44,250 or €45,250, plus for a more spacious version you will have to shed an extra €6,000. So go ahead and enjoy your Eco-friendly drive.