The new Volkswagen Passat GTEVolkswagen has added a plug-in hybrid to the Passat range in Ireland. Pricing for the new Volkswagen Passat GTE starts at €41,450 for a saloon and €43,715 for an estate, including SEAI grant and VRT rebate.
The Passat GTE is powered by a 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor, and the power output of the two sources combined is 215bhp. GTE models comes with a DSG automatic gearbox and emissions of 39g CO2 mean that the car qualifies for motor tax of just €170.
The car can be driven in pure electric mode for a limited range of a claimed 50km and for longer journeys, the car will operate as a hybrid drawing power from the TSI petrol engine and the electric motor. The lithium-ion battery that provides the e-motor with electricity can be charged at home or at work via a charging cable connected to a mains socket, while some energy is also fed back into the system while driving.
With the 50-litre tank full of fuel and the battery fully charged, the Passat GTE has a theoretical range of more than 1,100 kilometres.
C-shaped LED daytime running lights and a blue bar across the radiator grille that extends into the headlights distinguish the Passat GTE from the rest of the Passat range.
There are special GTE features inside such as an instrument cluster with power meter and an infotainment system that displays information to the driver about each drive system. Many of the Passat GTE’s functions can optionally be controlled and monitored via smartphone using the ‘Car-Net e-Remote’ app. These include charging the battery, activating the air-conditioning functions or seeing where the car was last parked.
The Passat GTE is available from selected Volkswagen dealers: Frank Keane Volkswagen, McAllister Volkswagen, Pierse Motors Limerick, Frank Hogan Limerick, Connolly’s Sligo, Newmarket Motors, Blackwater Motors Cork, Wexford Volkswagen and Sheehy’s Naas.
Volkswagen Passat GTE: Plug-in hybrid vehicle with pure electric range of up to 50kmCaroline Kidd