Find the balance between sportiness and consumption; It is the rationale for the Volkswagen Passat GTE, a plug-in hybrid will arrive in 2016 to Spain and we tried.

He Volkswagen Passat GTE also wins the title, as it has done with his little brother Golf. This car propulsion plug-in hybrid or Plug-In comes from the combination of 1.4 TSI petrol engine, with turbo and direct injection and 156 hp performance with an electric 115 hp which is positioned between the combustion engine and the direct-shift gearbox and six relationships (known as DSG). This combination produced in conjunction 218 hp and maximum torque of 40.81 mkg.

In the first dynamic contact we expected silence and smoothness boot, which is always in electric mode, provided that ion battery has a minimum load. The entry into operation of the gasoline engine will depend on management to do the accelerator and speed. From the central control box we will have access to different driving modes.

electric propulsion to 130 km / h

Surely, the most interesting thing about this car is its battery allows us Walking in electric mode (Full load) to 50 km, autonomy in terms of ‘normal’ driving is somewhat lower. Surprising, however, that the electric motor allows us to roll up to 130 km / h, something that we saw in our test during the few meters that the route allowed us to achieve this speed legally.

If we combine this autonomy offered by the fuel tank, they are announced 1,100 kilometers. We had little time to test it in this sense, but the instrument panel showed considerably less, especially after the first hour of shooting. Imagine that these data and the average advertised in 1.6 l / 100 km, They require driving with optimal road conditions, without reaching high speeds and after making use of position ‘B’ (Available gear selection lever and a high capacity for regeneration energy). Lifting the foot off the accelerator and when braking, this technology also be used for recharging of the battery.

If you look at the benefits, we can see that accelerates 0 to 100 km / h in 7.4 seconds, faster than the 1.4 TSI petrol version (150 hp) but slightly slower than the 2.0 TDI 240 hp.

Driving modes

If we seek maximum dynamics in the new Volkswagen Passat GTE GTE plays the key and the first transformation arrives via the engine sound, much sportier. Increased sensitivity to the accelerator pedal, faster changes DSG in a direction somewhat harder and firmer suspension footstep. TSI management is also slightly altered so that we can have with guarantees of 218 hp announced. GTE in this way, recoveries are very good, helped by double-clutch gearbox. If chained curves, the Passat not shown barely noticeable to the increased weight 1722 kg 1646 kg against a conventionally Passat, also helped because the battery is placed in a very low position below the rear seat. The trunk has a volume of 586 liters, same capacity as in the conventional version.

On the opposite side, we can choose the new Volkswagen Passat in the way ‘Battery Charge ‘, which makes the TSI I focused on generating electricity for battery charging -a 120 km / h constant, we can recharge the battery to 80 percent in a time between 45 minutes and an hour-. Yes, consumption approaches and reaches even surpass the two figures. Obviously, in exchange for electric range several kilometers when we get to an urban area, jam or the last stretch to go, at which point the average consumer will go down.

Mode also available ‘Battery Hold’, will not allow any expense of battery power. In this way, we make use of the gasoline engine and hope to find the place where we use electricity.

in position ‘E-Mode’, will have a Consistent use of the electric motor, what automatically switches to the ‘Hybrid’ mode when conditions require (dead battery, kicked the accelerator or over 130 km / h). In the latter driving mode, alternating at times with the sportier ‘GTE’ is the one who chose us on our path just an hour away. Consumption remained between 5 and 6.5 l / 100 km, not insignificant figures for a saloon of this segment and offerings.

Passat GTE flagship

As the visible and representative head brand, this GTE provides Volkswagen Passat finishes and quality expected by customers of this type of vehicle. Provides serial elements as daytime running lights LED type, housings brake calipers painted blue, 18-inch wheels, leather and rear parking camera plus options ‘premium’ as the “Head-Up Display, 19-inch wheels, ‘systemDigital Cockpit ‘ and various connectivity services.

Times They are announced recharge 4 hours 15 minutes for a conventional socket, whereas if we do a quick decision time is reduced to two and a half hours. This decision is the right of the logo located on the grid, unlike the Golf GTE, which is just below the logo. The reason is that the Passat GTE has radar ACC (adaptive cruise speed) and is located there.

his release date in the Spanish market will take place in early 2016, but shall go before Germany (October 2015).

Still there are no official prices, but it seems that It costs about 45,000 euros, surely once discounts have been applied and brand Movele plan.