If our cars are to meet future emission and fuel consumption limits, this can only be done by taking power to the drive, at least temporarily. This finding applies especially to larger models, which will hardly be able to reach consumption levels of four liters or less without hybridization. That's why there are more and more models with plugs on the market now, so vehicles that can drive purely electric, because their battery is large enough and is charged at a power outlet, but also have a normal engine. The technology is expensive, which is why the manufacturers like to supplement it with high performance values, so that the buying incentive is triggered equally by fun and saving potential. at VW The corresponding models are called GTE. We asked the Passat GTE for the everyday test. VW is calling for at least 160 Euro for this combination as a part-time current with 218 kW / 45.250 PS system performance.
GTE, that sounds like GTI and a little bit of sporty glamor of the golf icon should therefore also fall on the partially electric Passat. This underlines VW with all sorts of optical trim such as 17-inch rims, chrome and aluminum inserts, GTE lettering and the color blue. This beautifies the LED headlamp mounts and the grille, inside there is blue ambient lighting.
In the somewhat overcooled interior, a GTE switch is placed next to the shift lever for the DSG transmission. If you press it, the e-motor (85 kW / 115 PS) and gasoline engine (115 kW / 156 PS) work together to fully exploit the potential of the 160 kW / 218 PS. Then the Passat accelerates quite sporty. However, this is at the expense of the battery. The 9,9 kWh battery then empties much faster and counteracts the savings potential of the car.
This is especially true when driving short distances. Up to 42 kilometers range promises the on-board computer. In winter conditions it was real 25 that could only be powered by electricity. However, even with winter restrictions. The small trip for shopping to the four kilometers away supermarket is completed with a warm jacket and use of the full power of the seat heater. No chance that the vehicle heater gets the car heated in time. For the return trip then full use of blower is necessary because the air conditioning has no chance to dehumidify the interior due to lack of heating effect. If you turn everything up, the range goes down. Nonetheless, anyone who completes most of his daily kilometers in the immediate vicinity of the socket will be fine with the plug-in. And if the tour goes over 100 kilometers to the next airport, just jumps on the four-cylinder and the Passat drives like a normal car.
If you use the power of the battery for the first few kilometers, otherwise it remains within the guideline speed and activates the Eco mode, resulting in consumption of 4 liters. The equally driven way back without intermediate charging of electricity is then completed with about 6 liters. This is then on the consumption level that you could also aim for the 110 kW / 150 PS strong and available from 33.915 Euro TSI. The standard value of 1,9 liters plus 12,9 kWh electricity is definitely a long way off. If you also use the fun potential, the consumption increases to values between 8 and 11 liters, depending on the weight of the gas foot. Then the GTE is just a normal gasoline engine with the extra load of the battery. Finally, the GTE brings about 300 kilograms more on the scales than the 150 PS-TSI.
The GTE is also a normal Passat - albeit with a reduced boot volume: Compared to the conventionally powered station wagon, instead of 650 to 1.780 only 483 to 1.613 liters are available for loading. Still, the GTE is a pretty perfect, fairly comfortable and pretty big long-haul car. And that's where the beautiful plug-in technology comes to its limits.
If you are looking for a large, comfortable long-distance car, you do not need a plug-in. On the other hand, those who predominantly drive local short-haul routes and want to be emission-free on the way, usually do not need such a large car and would probably be better off with the Golf GTE, the same technology, less car and lower acquisition costs (from 36.900 Euro). Vehicles like the Passat GTE make sense only when cities are approached, whose entrance is only allowed e-vehicles. Then you can save the memory while traveling and use it in city traffic. In Europe, the diesel would be better on the long haul. In the rest of the world is known to be difficult, which is why VW also combines the GTE with a gasoline and not with a diesel. In addition, the vehicle would be even more expensive. The 45.250 Euro of the GTE (with a lot of air up when looking at the price list) make it even now the flagship car of high earners with a green conscience. But, as mentioned, that would also work with the Golf of the same design.
Author: Günter Weigel / SP-X