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PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Passat GTE premieres
Volkswagen's plug-in hybrid Passat to be offered in sedan and wagon forms, but not in OzPlug-in hybrids are beginning to find their feet in the market, with volume-selling brand Volkswagen adding another to its stable – the Passat GTE.
Pencilled in for a global debut at the Paris motor show, the plug-in Passat will be offered in both sedan and wagon guise. Presumably the same drivetrain technology will find its way into other Passat derivatives, such as the Alltrack and CC. But none of them are likely to make it here.
According to Karl Gehling, General Manager of Communications at Volkswagen Australia, "we currently do not have any plans for a local release."
In the Australian market, it's simply not a case of 'build it and they will come'. For the present, local consumers are resolutely unwilling to pay for the whizz-bang technology that will take years to pay for itself. In the case of the Passat GTE, that amounts to combined output (from the petrol and electric drive units) of 160kW and an electric mode range of 50km.
Volkswagen claims that with a total range of over 1000km, the Passat GTE could run from Paris to London and return on one tank of fuel. And unlike diesels that are capable of similar range, the electric-only mode ('E-Mode') won't incur London's congestion charge. Officially, the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), rates the Passat GTE at less than 2.0L/100km – which equates to 45g/km of CO2 discharged. Top speed is 220km/h, with the plug-in Passat capable of achieving 130km/h on battery power alone.
Under the bonnet is a 1.4-litre TSI (turbo-petrol) four-cylinder engine developing 115kW to keep the lithium-ion battery charged and supply drive to the wheels when the battery charge is depleted or the driver calls for more performance. While combined power is 160kW, the electric motor actually achieves peak power of 85kW, and torque of 330Nm. Working together through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission to the front wheels, the petrol four and the electric motor will propel the Passat GTE to 100km/h from a standing start in less than eight seconds.
The debut in Paris is merely a reveal, but the Passat GTE is definitely going into production and will be launched globally in the second half of next year. Standard equipment will include LED headlights, Driver Alert System, Automatic Post-Collision Braking system, Front Assist (incorporating City Emergency Braking), rain-sensing wipers, 'Park Pilot', chrome detailing for the side glass, blue line in the radiator grille, 17-inch 'Astana' alloy wheels and front 'comfort' seats.
Key features inside will comprise a 6.5-inch touch screen for the 'Composition Media' infotainment system, blue ambient lighting, leather-bound multi-function steering wheel, exclusive leather gear knob and aluminium and piano black decorative trim. The Passat GTE will come with a brace of readouts in the screen (or two larger optional screens) for range and energy flow.
All the latest news and video from the motoring.com.au team at the Paris motor show
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Written byCarsales Staff
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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