Review
VW Golf GTE
Since its inception in 1974, the Golf has always contributed to the technological progress of its time. Anyone who thinks that a dynamic and sporty car cannot go hand in hand with low consumption has not yet met the Golf GTE. This plug-in hybrid Golf has a power of no less than 204 hp and an average consumption of only 1.5 liters and CO2 emissions of 35g/km. What a time to be alive.
Hybrid
The Golf GTE (from 38,490 euros) is a plug-in hybrid that has 2 power sources that are linked together via a parallel hybrid drivetrain. On the one hand, this Golf has a traditional combustion engine: a 1.4 TSI four-cylinder petrol engine with a power of 150 hp. On the other hand, this hybrid also has an electric motor with a power of 102 hp. The system power is thus 204 hp and the maximum system torque is 350 Nm. The GTE can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and the top speed is 217 km/h. As a transmission, the Golf GTE has a double-clutch automatic gearbox and six gears.
Driving modes
The interplay of the drive system is controlled via 3 driving modes: purely electric, with the combustion engine or hybrid.
According to Volkswagen, the distance you can travel purely electrically is 50 kilometers. In this mode, the top speed is also limited to 130 km/h. It goes without saying that in this mode you hear little from the car, except for some rolling noise. This mode will be especially useful in the city where you often have to stop and start and would therefore otherwise consume a lot.
In hybrid mode, the driver can choose to charge the battery while driving, keep the charge for later use in an urban environment, for example, or use it until the battery runs out again.
Pressing the GTE button activates the sportiest mode with maximum power. The power is available immediately and you can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds. For a short time, you can also reach a top speed of 222 km/h instead of 217 km/h in this mode with the boost function. The engine sound that comes from the GTE during sporty driving sounds nice and sporty to the ears. We like it.
Plugin
The battery can be charged, among other things, while driving by recovering kinetic energy during braking. The engine then temporarily acts as a generator that charges the battery of the hybrid system. You can also charge the GTE via a plug in the socket. You can fully charge the GTE in 3.5 hours via a plug in a classic socket or in 2.5 hours via a Wallbox or a public charging station of 3.6 kilowatts.
Gran Turismo
The GTE is also a third member of the Golf GT family. GT stands for Gran Turismo and is synonymous with sportiness. I probably shouldn’t introduce you to its eldest brother: the legendary Golf GTI, the sporty Golf with a petrol engine and a power of 230 hp, only surpassed by the Golf R. The sportiest Golf diesel is the GTD. This torquey powerhouse has a power of 184 hp. Now this family is being expanded with the GTE, a sporty plug-in hybrid.
Driver assistance systems
The standard equipment of the Golf GTE includes Front Assist and the City emergency braking function. This ensures that you as a driver receive a warning when another car approaches too quickly. If necessary, the GTE will brake automatically. In an emergency situation, this system will also ensure that the braking distance is shortened by helping to brake.
If you are not a parking hero, you can opt for an optional parking assistance system. Thanks to this system, the car helps you maneuver in parallel and perpendicular parking spaces. The driver still controls the accelerator and brake and the car takes care of the steering (see demo in video).
Conclusion
In our opinion, the VW Golf GTE is a very successful and authentic plug-in hybrid. Basically you get two cars for the price of one. On the one hand, you have a car that can drive purely electrically, ideal in an urban environment and good for the environment and the bank account. On the other hand, you have a sporty bomb with a lot of power and a sporty soundtrack.
Johan De Haes
Test driver
