Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid revealed ahead of Geneva debut

The Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid – a plug-in electric version of the GTI or GTD – has been revealed ahead of a Geneva debut. Does 157mpg.

The VW Golf GTE Plug-in (pictured) debuts at Geneva

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If you like a quite warm VW Golf with a petrol engine, VW has that covered with the Golf GTI, and if you’d rather burn oil you can do that too with the Golf GTD. But now there’s a third way – the Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid.

Combining a 1.4 litre TSI turbo petrol with 148bhp and a 101bhp electric motor, the Golf GTE manages a combined output of 201bhp, enough to get to 62mph in 7.6 seconds and return official economy figures of 157mpg and emissions of a paltry 35g/km.

The Golf GTE can even drive on electric power only for up to 31 miles after a three hour or so charge, ideal for running round cities with an aversion to ICE cars.

In terms of looks, you still get tartan upholstery and most of the generic Golf GTI/GTD looks except for the grill that looks like a cross between the GTI and an e-Golf with a charging socket hiding behind the VW logo.

The new Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid will debut next month at the Geneva Motor Show and no doubt go on sale later in 2014. But what price you’ll have to pay for the best of both worlds VW doesn’t seem to have decided.

But it will be the wrong side of £30k.