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Volkswagen's second generation Golf GTE continues to offer a more dynamic, if rather pricey, take on plug-in hybrid technology, combining sporty styling and pokey petrol power along with real world battery range and frugality. The idea is to deliver GTI responsiveness along with ID.3-style EV sustainability. If Volkswagen has done just that, then this could very well be the ultimate all-round family hatch.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​​​ Introduction
00:55 Background
02:15 Driving Experience
14:24 Design & Build
26:50 Market & Model Range
45:32 Cost of Ownership
56:18​​​ Summary

Background

Hybrid cars used to be dull, compromised, soul-less things. In buying one, you sacrificed driving enjoyment for eco-minded technology and positioned yourself amongst smug, green-minded folk. It isn't like that any more - or at least it doesn't need to be, according at least to this car, Volkswagen's Golf GTE.

This second generation model, launched early in 2020, succeeds an original Golf GTE that was one of the market's very first plug-in hybrids when it was first announced back in late-2014. This replacement's key change is a lithium-ion battery twice as large, which usefully extends the WLTP-rated all-electric driving range to 40 miles. Plus energy deployment can now be predictive, taking into account GPS data. And of course there are all the advantages of the latest MK8 Golf model line. If you're the sort of buyer who might have previously been steered towards the economy of a Golf GTD diesel but secretly hankered after the smoothness of the GTI, this GTE could be the perfect solution.

Driving Experience

As with its first generation predecessor, the combustion element of this Golf GTE model's drivetrain uses a 150PS 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and a 6-speed DSG auto gearbox. What's changed this time round is that the 85 kW electric motor this package works with is mated to a lithium-ion battery that's 50% bigger, now rated up at 13kWh, quite a large capacity for a plug-in hybrid model. That's why the all-electric driving range has increased to 40 miles. And why the all-electric top speed has improved to 80mph.

When the battery is sufficiently charged, the GTE always starts in its all-electric E-MODE, switching to the alternative 'Hybrid' mode only if the energy capacity of the battery drops below a certain level or the vehicle's speed rises above 80mph. As before, the driver has the option to 'save' battery charge for urban driving later in any trip. But what's different this time round is the way that once you've entered in a navigation destination, the battery manager (using so-called 'Predictive Hybrid Control') can predictively take into account road and topographical GPS data to ensure the most efficient use of the available driving range. A new driving dynamics control system known as the 'Vehicle Dynamics manager' also debuts with this MK2 model. This controls the XDS torque vectoring system and the optional DCC adaptive chassis control adjustable dampers to achieve a greater perceived difference between the feel of the car in its comfort and more sportily-orientated drive settings.

Design and Build

As before, a big part of the GTE's appeal is that it doesn't look that different to a GTI. Blue-themed touches differentiate this plug-in variant - on a narrow line spanning the front end of the bonnet and on an LED strip in the headlight. A nice touch is the way that the radiator grille can be illuminated as a continuation of this strip. The large, one-piece lower air intake grille features a honeycomb pattern with a black frame and a striking wing-like design at each corner. In profile, you get 17-inch alloy wheels. And there are wider black side skirt sills than you'd normally get on a Golf, those sills coming together at either end of the car to form the front spoiler and the rear diffuser. LED tail light clusters feature at the rear, where there are no visible exhaust pipes.

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